David “Dave” Charles Schnitzen Weiler died unexpectedly in Luck, Wisconsin, on May 22, 2026. Born on Jan. 30, 1954, in Morris, Minnesota, Dave lived a life marked by dedication, honesty, and resilience.
Dave grew up in Fosston, Minnesota, developing a strong work ethic on his family’s farm. He moved to the Twin Cities in his twenties, where he met his wife Margaret (Schnitzen). They married in 1984 and raised two daughters, Arielle and Ruthie.
Dave was a self-taught handyman and woodworker. He found great joy in restoring older homes and built a loyal clientele in the Twin Cities, where many knew him simply as “Tool Man,” a nickname he cherished.
A man of many talents and interests, Dave was a passionate collector, maker, and hobbyist. He restored antique wooden planes, rode and repaired vintage motorcycles, took up traditional archery, collected a wide variety of antiques, and was an avid reader, especially of history. During his retirement years in Luck, Wisconsin, Dave spent his time enjoying the beauty of nature around his home, birdwatching, gardening, and even taking a brief foray into turkey hunting. He put his handyman skills to good use when he volunteered to restore old railroad equipment, including a caboose, at the Soo Line Depot Museum in Frederic, Wisconsin.
Dave is survived by his wife, Margaret; daughters, Ruthie Weiler and Arielle Weiler (Scott Garrison); sister, Sherri Mensink; nieces and nephew, Stacy (Ken) McCloud, Jolene Turk, and Keith Mensink; siblings-in-law, Jeanne Schnitzen, Ann Daly, Linda Schnitzen, and James Schnitzen; several grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews; and beloved dog, Tyrone.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Sadie and Melvin Weiler; brother, Melvin “Butch” Weiler Jr.; and brother-in-law, Curtis “Curt” Mensink.
In the Twin Cities, a memorial will be held on June 21, 2026, at the Kargel Park building, 9301 Tamarack Rd., Woodbury, MN 55125. Please stop by any time between 1 and 4 p.m. to pay your respects and reminisce with family and friends.
A second memorial will be held in St. Croix Falls on June 24, 2026, at Lions Park, 809 N. Hamilton St., St. Croix Falls, WI 54024. Please stop by any time between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. to pay your respects and reminisce with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at nami.org. You are invited to leave condolences, memories, and photos at rowefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Luck, 715-472-2444, and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown, nwwicremationcenter.com.
