David J. Schiefelbein

David J. Schiefelbein passed away peacefully on Monday, December 2, 2024 at Azura Memory Care in Stoughton, Wisconsin, lovingly surrounded by family. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin on October 17, 1953 to William and Dorothy (Thessin) Schiefelbein.

David attended McFarland Schools from kindergarten through high school graduation (1971). He was active in Boy Scouts, sports, band and choirs. Singing was one of God’s greatest gifts to David and it was a wonderful avocation, enjoyed by many. He graduated from UW Stout with a degree in Food Service Management and absolutely loved to cook for friends and family. 

David married his high school sweetheart, Margit Landerud, on June 1, 1974 at McFarland Lutheran Church. After they both finished their degrees, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska for David’s first job with Saga Corporation. God blessed them with three beautiful children, and they lived in Pewaukee, Wisconsin for over 25 years. They moved back to McFarland in 2008. 

David cherished going with the entire family for a week of unhurried fun and fellowship up at their beloved Fort Wilderness in McNaughton, Wisconsin ever since their first grandchild was born 16 years ago. This was truly a place where they soaked in God’s beauty and awesome Creation and it provided their whole family with lifelong memories. 

David loved farm breakfasts, gardening, singing jingles, mowing the lawn on his John Deere tractor, and all Wisconsin sports, especially going to Brewers games. 

David was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, his aunt and uncle. He is survived and loved by his wife of 50 years; their children Hans (Katie Robertson), Tim (Amy McDowell), and Megan (Jeff) Soceka; and eight beautiful grandchildren: Sorin (16), Norah (14), and Christian (11) Schiefelbein; Max (14), Charlie (12), and Sawyer (6) Schiefelbein; and Emily (11) and James (9) Soceka. He is also survived by his sister Linda Schiefelbein and cousin Jane Thessin as well as his brother-in-law Dave (Jacqui) Landerud; sister-in-law Gudrun (Dave) Huston; niece (Breanna Huston); and nephews (Chris Landerud and Peter Landerud) and their families; and his lifelong friend Dave Larson. 

We wish to thank Azura Memory Care and especially Bernadette, a compassionate hospice nurse who took wonderful care of David. We also want to thank everyone who has been praying for our family during this time.

David’s Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Blackhawk Fitchburg Church, 5935 Astor Drive, Fitchburg. The visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church, and a light lunch will follow at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Fort Wilderness (Trailblazer Fund, fortwilderness.com/giving), The American Red Cross (redcross.org/donate), or Agrace Foundation (agrace.org/donate).