David "Dave" H. Orthaus

David “Dave” H. Orthaus, age 83, of Goodwin, SD, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the local hospital.  Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Pastor Janine Rew-Werling and Pastor Craig Werling will officiate. Music will provided by Angie Eickmeyer.

Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.  The family is requested to meet at the church at 11:00 a.m. for a family prayer service.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown at a later date. Honorary pallbearers will be Dave’s Granddaughters, Katie Berg, Kelsey Marquardt, Morgan Meyer, Taylor Orthaus, Brittany Koch, Holland Crocker, Olivia Orthaus, and Addison Crocker.  Active pallbearers will be Dave’s grandsons, Dylan Orthaus, Brett Rice, Austin Crocker, Cole Orthaus, and Chase Crocker. 

David was born on February 25, 1942, in Watertown, SD, to Jerome and Edna (Sumner) Orthaus.  He attended Mount Pleasant #43 Country School, and Florence High School graduating in 1960. 

David married Joan Mann in 1962 at Grace Lutheran Church and the couple raised two sons, Jeffrey and Chad.  Joan passed away in April of 1988.   Dave worked at Bill’s Service, Montgomery Ward’s, and was a manager at Goodyear after working his way up to the leadership role.  Dave then went on to own and operate his own shop, Ort’s Tire until his retirement in 2004.

On July 19, 1997, David married Gloria Crocker at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown.  David was blessed to receive three step-sons with this marriage.  Dave enjoyed several things throughout his life including woodworking, tinkering with International Harvester tractors, hunting, and was a passionate Minnesota Vikings fan just to list a few. 

Dave is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Goodwin, SD; sons, Jeffrey (Paula) Orthaus, of Watertown, Chad (Sarah) Orthaus, of Watertown; step-sons, David (Michelle) Crocker, of LaBolt, SD, Alan (Heather) Crocker, of Goodwin, SD, and Steven (Lisa) Crocker, of Castlewood, SD; thirteen grandchildren, Katie (Jake) Berg, Kelsey (Robin) Marquardt, Dylan (Jen) Orthaus, Brett (Ivy) Rice, Morgan (Brad) Meyer, Austin (Lindy) Crocker, Taylor (Kyle) Walters, Cole Orthaus, Brittany (Jake) Koch, Holland (Chase Feuerhelm) Crocker, Oliva Orthaus, Chase Crocker, and Addison Crocker; seven great-grandchildren, Jack and Ty Berg, Dawson Marquardt, Jace and Cade Orthaus, Emberly and Beckett Crocker; five sisters, Rita (Bob) Lunde, Brenda Berg, Rose (Larry) Kahnke, Bonnie (Doug) Rislov, and Nila (Steve) Bath; two brothers, Mike (Kathy) Orthaus, and John (Michelle) Orthaus; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Joan; sister, Helen Rogge; and brother-in-law, Keith Rogge.

Dave’s Family would like memorials designated to St. Jude Children Research Hospital.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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