David Bathke

David Wesley Bathke, age 88, of Waseca, MN passed away peacefully on October 23, 2026, with family by his side.

 

Born on July 3, 1938, in Waseca, MN he was the son of Wesley and Pearl (Peterson) Bathke.

He attended school in Waseca, graduating in 1956. He served in the Army from 1958-1960.

 

Following his honorable discharge from the army, he attended Vocational Technical College in Minneapolis, Dunwoody Vocational and later General Motors Training Center.

 

David had an early appreciation and passion for automobiles and things mechanical and was a mechanic for most of his life beginning in the fall of 1955 at Hasselquist Pontiac and Buick and remained there until its closure in the early 1980s. After its closure he worked for South Side Schools and the University of Minnesota Waseca campus doing maintenance on their vehicles and held a Master Boilers License. In the beginning of his career path he worked at Kuyper Implement and Waseca Implement and owned and operated Murphy Motor Freight in Waseca. David eventually retired from the Rochester Police Department after 17 years maintaining their squad car fleet.

 

David married Dianne Davidson on June 27, 1964, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Meriden.

Together, they welcomed their son, Michael David, and began building their family and life together. David enjoyed spending time at car shows and swap meets with his son and grandson, sharing their common love of cars. Cars always played an important role in David's life. While serving in the Army stationed in Colorado, he was introduced to stock car racing and he began racing cars. Along the way he also was able to watch and participate in Demolition derbies for the first time. After returning home he became a member of the Waseca Jaycees. As they looked for events for fund raising he recalled his time in the Army and watching demolition derbies and shared this idea. He then organized and officiated the first demolition derby at the Waseca County Fair in 1966 and continued his role doing this for many years. This event has remained an annual tradition since it began. David has shared his passion of the sport along to his son and now his grandson who carries on his number 7. David was a long-time member of the Waseca County Fairboard and worked for the Minnesota State Fair managing Gate Admissions for the Grandstand. He worked for and commuted to the Minnesota State Fair each year during the fair for over 59 consecutive years.

 

David is survived by his wife, Dianne; son, Michael (Doreen) Bathke, grandson, Kyle; sister, Diane (Ken) Strehl; brother-in-law, Jim Davidson; along with nephews, cousins, and close friends.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

 

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St John Lutheran Church in Waseca, MN; Pastor Ashley Kuhlman will officiate. David's family will greet guests at a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca, MN.