Dave Harvey

DAVID (DAVE) DOMINIC HARVEY was born November 25, 1951 in Remsen, Iowa to Floyd and Verna (Weiler) Harvey. Dave grew up on a farm in Remsen which most likely helped him attain the skills he needed to become a very talented backyard mechanic. At the age of 15, his father passed away suddenly. Dave attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Remsen. At the age of 18, Dave moved to Sioux City, Iowa. In 1970, Dave was united in marriage to Kathy Westly. Dave was drafted into the United States Army and served less than a year in the Vietnam War before his medical discharge. Dave had different types of jobs when he was younger but made a career in the trucking industry starting in the mid-70’s. He hauled concrete powder, grain, gasoline, livestock and many other things including once and only once….explosives. Dave and Kathy would have four children together before divorcing after 10 years of marriage. Dave continued trucking and worked for more than a dozen trucking companies learning all that he needed to become the owner of his own trucking company, Harvey Enterprises. Dave moved to Sioux Falls in the mid-80’s and continued to live and work in the Sioux Falls area for more than 30 years. Trucking for over 45 years allowed him to perfect his talent of talking and telling stories. Dave would marry again in 1991 after a long relationship with Sandy Thrun. Although the marriage did not last they were able to maintain a friendship. Dave tried to retire a couple times, but it just didn’t take. Driving truck was like “home” to him. On Thursday, November 4, 2021, Dave died as a result of injuries sustained in a truck accident at the age of 69 years, 11 months, and 9 days.

Dave had a heart for the charity of St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Whenever possible, he liked to donate to their work. Dave was known as a long-time Minnesota Vikings fan, but gave up on the NFL in the last 10 years or so and replaced it with NASCAR. Dave was not much of a college football fan, but in the last few years he rarely missed watching Notre Dame football games on Saturdays. Dave enjoyed John Wayne movies, television shows like Jag and Justified, and country music, especially artists Eddie Rabbitt, Bob Seger, Toby Keith, and Reba McEntire.

Growing up, Dave’s children remember two main things about him: his amazing work ethic and his ability to fix almost anything. They also have many memories of sitting in truck stops listening to their dad and other truckers comparing their experiences on the road. Dave would describe himself as a “tell it as it is”, “no nonsense” kind of guy. This was mostly true, but the stories changed over the years as embellishments were added. Dave was known to give people a hard time in a teasing, joking sort of way, but only if he liked you. He was also known to be stubborn, always right, sarcastic, quick-witted, and for frequently bragging about his kids, his grandkids, and his goulash.

Dave is survived by his four children, Tracy (Todd) Bahney of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, Terry Harvey of Sioux City, Scott Harvey of Sioux Falls, and Sheri Harvey of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Vanessa, Samantha, Kaley, Ashton, Hannah, Noah, and Jaxson; great-grandchildren, Raelynn, Jayden, and one on the way; siblings, Joyce (Darwin) Draayer of Remsen, Keith (Norine) Harvey of Remsen, Karen Anderson of Le Mars, Iowa, Roger (Maureen) Harvey of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Lauri Dickman of Sergeant Bluff; and many friends and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Christopher Harvey; and his parents, Floyd and Verna Harvey.

Memorials in Dave’s name may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org) as a last birthday present in honor of what would have been Dave’s 70th birthday.