David William Southward

DAVID WILLIAM SOUTHWARD

August 14, 1939 – April 16, 2019

                David William Southward, age 79 of Osage, MN, formerly of Minneapolis passed away very unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in St. George, Utah while enjoying an evening with his wife, Barbara and their friends as they prepared to leave for Minnesota that week.

                David was born on August 14, 1939 at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis to Laverne and Marjorie (Arkman) Southward.  He grew up in Osseo, MN and graduated from the Osseo High School in 1957.  That same year he entered the United States Coast Guard but later transferred into the United States Marine Corps where he faithfully served his country until receiving his honorable discharge in September of 1962.  Returning to Minneapolis he enrolled at the University of Minnesota and was employed at Fairview Hospital as a psychiatric orderly.  He met a nurse there and told her he was looking for someone to help put him through school.  She told him she would think about it and on July 20, 1963 he married his boss, Barbara Bateman and promptly transferred to a medical station. 

                David completed his Bachelor’s Degree and went on to earn his Masters in Social Work in 1967 from the U of M.  David and Barbara were blessed with two beautiful children, Jeffrey in 1966 and Julie in 1969.  During his 35 year career as a therapist in mental health, marriage and family therapy and as a consultant to other businesses and agencies he was employed at the Duluth Mental Health Clinic, Minneapolis Clinic of Psychiatry and Neurology and the Park Nicollet Clinics of Minneapolis until his retirement in 2003 at which time he and Barbara retired to their Straight Lake home in Osage, MN.

                David was always involved with his community wherever he was.  As a man of strong Christian faith, he remained true to the tenets he learned and always strived to support his community through involvement in activities and projects that lifted people up.  He served nine years on the Robbinsdale District School Board.  He was currently a member of Riverside United Methodist Church, the Osage Lion’s Club and an active participant at Grace Episcopal Church in St. George, UT.  He loved collecting, sports, music, woodworking, fishing, and gardening, but above all, he loved his Creator and his family and their time together.

                David will be lovingly remembered by his wife and soulmate for these past 56 years, Barbara of Osage; his daughter, Julie (Shane) Pribyl of Monticello, MN; grandchildren: Kayla (Dan) Foley of Duluth, MN, Sean (Jissel) Ricksham of Elk River, MN, Abby (Gahiji Draughn) Ricksham of New Hope, MN, Grace Matson of Monticello, Kyle Matson of Anoka, MN, Kevin (Taylor) Pribyl of Elk River and Alex Pribyl of Monticello, MN; eight beautiful great-grandchildren; his brother, Bruce (Gladys) Southward of St. Paul; two sisters: Jean (John) Smith of Beardsley, MN and Carol Southward of St. Paul, MN; as well as nieces, nephews, other loved family and friends. 

                He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey age 15 and mother-in-law, Marion Bateman in a tragic car accident, both of his parents Laverne and Marjorie Southward and his father-in-law Glenn Bateman.

                Memorial services will be held Sunday, June 2, 2019 at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids with the Rev. Chip Nielson officiating. Inurnment will be made in the Riverside Cemetery at Osage, MN.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.  Following the service a light lunch will be hosted by the Riverside United Methodist Church family. 

To leave online condolences or view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com