David Arlen Skeim

David Skeim, 81, of Bemidji, MN died unexpectedly Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

A Celebration of Life will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 25, 2021 at the home of Shannon and Ernie Heifort.

David Skeim was born February 4, 1940 in Greenbush to Alfred and Doris (Hagen) Skeim. They moved to International Falls when he was young and graduated from International Falls High School. He went a year at Concordia St. Paul playing football then transferred to BSU and played football and graduated. On May 24, 1965 he married Helen Carroll. He then was a scientist for 3M for 5 years. Dave hated the cities, so he moved back to Bemidji where he went back to school and got his Master’s in counseling and worked at the Cass Lake Bena Schools until his retirement. Dave was always up for a training day with his dogs.  He was usually the first to arrive.  Dave would "Muse" and ask others what they needed for their dogs that day. He made time for the beginner handlers and their dogs, always trying to help them advance with knowledge on how to improve.  He encouraged everyone to do their best.  He was Mentor extraordinaire! He loved spending time with his family, fishing, hunting and dog training.

He is survived by his daughter, Shannon (Ernie) Heifort; grandchildren, Ernest (Alex) Heifort, Allie Heifort and Gabe Heifort; soon to be great-granddaughter, Olivia Heifort; special fur babies, Puck and Ty and sister-in-law, Nancy Skeim and her children, Shane Skeim, Kelly (Corey) Zimmerman and Chad (Deedee) Skeim.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; son, Hunter; father, Adolph; mother, Doris Crutchfield and step-dad, Thomas and brother, Mitchell Skeim.

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