Obituary for David K. Taylor

David Keith Taylor, 82, passed away peacefully at Hillview Nursing home in La Crosse WI on February 19th, 2024. David was born November 2nd, 1941, in Sparta WI to Leo and Leona (Cashion) Taylor. He attended Upper Big Creek School in rural Sparta through 8th grade. When asked why he didn’t attend High School he said he already knew what they were teaching, and he wasn’t interested. 

As a young man David worked stripping tobacco and as a farm hand in the Sparta, Bangor and La Crosse areas. He moved to Montana for a brief time working as a ranch hand. He worked at Garment Company as a Sewing Machine Mechanic and worked at Indianhead Trucking Company as a Diesel mechanic until his retirement.

David married Delores Wilson on September 22nd, 1962, and celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage. They made West Salem, WI their home for almost all those years, raising two sons Alan and Jeff Taylor. 

David loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman throughout his life.  He went hunting with a great group of friends for many years, often followed by a beer and lively conversation.  Fishing was a family affair, and although he couldn’t swim, he loved being out on his boat fishing or pulling the grandkids on the innertube.  

He loved animals, watching the birds and squirrels in his backyard and could identify nearly every bird call. He loved tinkering in his garage and knew how to fix just about anything. David enjoyed gardening with his wife Delores and had a large garden in his backyard. Even when the physical work got difficult for him, he became “supervisor” and made sure the garden kept going with his granddaughter Becca tending to it now. When he wasn’t outside, David could be found playing solitaire on the family computer or watching Westerns on TV.

He was a loyal Badger and Packer fan. David was known for his quick wit and had a joke for every occasion. He brought a smile to everyone around him.

Later in life David discovered his love for YouTube which turned into a guessing game of what he would be watching when family went to visit???? Fishing? Gardening? Tractors? Vietnamese cooking? Trees being cut down?

David is survived by his son Jeff (Sherry) Taylor, grandchildren Brittany Taylor ( sig. other Will Johnson), Becca De Haro (Elias), Kristine Beeler (Steve) and Johnathan Taylor; siblings Leona, Sue, Janet, and Ron, and daughter-in-law Linda Taylor. He is further survived by his cat JoJo whom he loved to play with and feed treats. David was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Delores, his son Alan, and siblings Jim, Aileen, and Jack.

A private graveside service will be held in Hamilton Cemetery, West Salem. A Celebration of David's Life is also being planned for a later date.

Online condolences may be offered on this website.

Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Jostad Chapel, is assisting the family.