David J. Alm
June 26, 1960 ~ May 11, 2012
David J. Alm Davids battle with cancer ended May 11, 2012. David John Alm was born June 26, 1960, son of Karen (Norum) and Lyle Alm. He was born and raised in Forest Lake and graduated from FLHS in 1978. He entered the US Marine Corp in 1982. He re-enlisted in the USMC Reserve in 1990 and served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. David became a lifetime member of the North Branch VFW. On June 23, 1990, he married Kathleen Hoffman and made their home in North Branch. He was the proud father of Abigail Alm. David was currently employed by CVRx in Brooklyn Center, MN and previously worked for MVP in Wyoming and Master Bread in Roseville. David greatly enjoyed working with North Branch soccer. He served as a NBAYSA Board Member, NBAYSA Team Coach and lead Soccer Clinics; Assistant Coach NBHS Soccer, Assistant and later Head Coach Roseville High School Soccer and was his daughters biggest soccer fan. David will be deeply missed by his wife of 21 years, Kathleen; daughter, Abigail; parents, Lyle and Karen Alm; brother, Daniel Alm; mother-in-law, Barbara Hoffman; special cousin, Brian Alm; aunts; uncles; cousins and many friends. Dave is preceded in death by his grandparents and his father-in-law, Kenneth Hoffman. Visitation 4-8 PM Tuesday, May 15th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake. Funeral service 10 AM Wednesday, May 16th at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 9300 Scandia Trail North, Forest Lake with visitation beginning at 9 AM until time of service. Interment with military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.
Several folks have shared their interest in Dave’s poem. I’m posting here for those who may not have followed Dave’s Caring Bridge site. This is directly from a post that he wrote for the site.
Below is a poem that I [Dave] wrote one night, as I drifted through that space between awake and asleep these words started to flow through my mind. So I found myself at the keyboard at 2 am capturing them so that would not be lost in that space come daybreak.
Last Stand by Dave Alm
I have been thrown onto the battlefield of a war that I didn’t ask for.
Its outcome so predetermined, with only a question of how many years more.
The wounds have already been made, sometimes I can’t ignore the pain
I have been near the bottom, it felt like the end, a point I know I will have to see again.
My love, I can see that you too are tired and at times you are frightened
But please know with your caring and
love the burden of my pack has been lightened
I have strong, good people all around me, who want to do what they can
But in the end this fight will come down to a lone marine with a rifle in his hand.
I know in time my war will be forgotten with no songs or statues like many others
My story will have to be passed on from the lips of a daughter and her mother
I ask that you remember me as the husband, father and son that I was when you can
And as a Marine who marched bravely forward to make his last stand
R.I.P. Warrior. May God continue watching over you and your family.
On behalf of the Forest Lake American Legion Post 225 we give thanks for the military service of David to our nation.
Thank you so much Dave for being such a fearless and dependable leader. God bless you brother and keep the streets above ready for the rest of MPCO. Semper Fidelis. To Daves family my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. It was an incredible honor to share time in his life and he was an inspiration to everyone he served with.
God’s speed Sgt. Alm.
Semper Fi
Taking care of David was my first babysitting
job. I watched him grow into a fine young man.
I sent him numerous care packages when he
was deployed in Desert Storm and prayed for
his safe return. I saw him become a wonderful
husband and father. He made us all so proud
of him. Til we meet again David.
There are no words to express the sadness his passing has brought to our family. He was such a devoted family man and made a “family” of ALL the soccer girls he guided.He’s impact on these girls was not only on the field but also in their lives. His legacy lives on his daughter.THANK YOU David, may you rest in peace. We miss you already!
Dave was a great man, father and citizen of the North Branch community. I will cherish all that he’s done for the girls of soccer and especially for my daughter. My heart goes out to Kathy and Abby who he was totally devoted to.