Obituary for David L. Buol

David L. Buol, 59 of West Salem passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 27 in Rochester, Minnesota. He was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on November 9, 1961, to La Verne and Ilene Buol (Nehls). He graduated from West Salem High School in 1980. After graduation he worked on his family’s dairy farm in West Salem. It is there where he dreamed of becoming a truck driver while watching them pass the farm adjacent from the I-90 interstate. Dave pursued his dream in 1994 by attending truck driving school in Red Wing, Minnesota. After graduation from Red Wing, Dave began his career as a truck driver working for Bob Brink, Inc., Winona, Minnesota. In 2003, he accepted employment with Lawrence Transportation, Inc., Tomah, Wisconsin and soon transferred to their Rochester, Minnesota location where he spent his trucking career up to the time of his death. Working for Lawrence Transportation was the best 18 years of Dave’s life. He loved his job and all the friendships he made during his employment. His co-workers became family, and it is there that he met his very special friend, Leah Jarratt. When not on the road, Dave and Leah enjoyed life. They attended ball games, traveled, created memories, and shared many laughs that will last forever. Dave was an avid Milwaukee Brewer and Green Bay Packer fan, and he and Leah attended and watched many games and he often talked “sports” with his friends. Dave had a heart of gold, a great sense of humor, loved the outdoors, and enjoyed life. He cherished every moment spent with family and friends. Survivors include his sister Nancy (Aaron) Opland, his brother Daniel Buol, special friend, Leah Jarratt , his nephews Brian (Allison) Hemker (great nephew Dagan Hemker; great niece, Mali Hemker), Scott Hemker, Matthew (Abbey) Opland (great nephew, Rhett Opland), Tyler Opland, Kyle Opland, and his niece Kaitlyn Opland (friend, Sam Mayer), nephew and niece Christopher and Kimberly (Paul), his Aunt Doris Puent (Dave Witte) and Uncle Bill, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents La Verne and Ilene Buol, sister Linda Hemker (Buol) and brother-in-law Charles Hemker and sister Barbara Paul (Buol) and brother-in-law Lester Paul, and grandparents Glenn and Faye Buol and Karl and Ester Nehls, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 6 from 10 – 11 a.m., followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. at the Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home (121 Youlon St N, West Salem, Wisconsin). Pastor Alyssa Mitchell will officiate. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Bangor, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.