David “Dave” Ross Mott, 82, a resident of Trade Lake, Wisconsin, passed away on March 26, 2024, at home. Dave was born at home on Aug. 14, 1941, to Ross and Laura Mott, in Madge Township near Sarona, Wisconsin. He attended the Sarona Grade School and graduated from Spooner High School in 1959. While in high school and for a few years after, he drove a potato truck for West Lawn Farms. After high school he went on to school to be a machinist and later moved to Rockford, Illinois, to work. A few years later he moved to Grantsburg, Wisconsin, and took a job at McNally’s. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Linda Wicklund. They were married on Sept. 28, 1968, and had two boys, Darryn and Dalen. Dave also worked for an organic fertilizer truck for Tony Swanson, did landscaping for a company in the Twin Cities and then worked for Paul Christensen’s Machine Shop in Grantsburg, which later became Parker Hannifin.
Dave and Linda raised their family in Trade Lake and spent their time together traveling, camping, gardening, mowing grass, maple syruping and spending lots of time socializing with a close group of family and friends. Dave worked for Parker Hannifin until the age of 62 when he retired. During his 20 years of retirement, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, cutting wood, reading, bird-watching, feeding wildlife, camping, four-wheeling, and watching the Green Bay Packers. He especially enjoyed being a grandpa.
Dave learned to love fishing from his grandparents as a very little boy and fished every chance he could. He later became known for catching fish in places no one else could. Bass Lake became his favorite place to fish because it was quiet and peaceful. He taught himself how to play guitar as a teenager and loved singing and playing with his family and friends; he especially loved old country and bluegrass music. He was a wood-cutting fanatic up until just a few days before he died. Even after he quit burning wood himself, he cut wood for family and friends and for Interfaith Caregivers. He was an avid gardener for many years, growing many different kinds of vegetables as well as years of raspberry and strawberry bushes. He was especially proud of his potatoes and asparagus.
Dave always greeted everyone with a smile and a hug if you were the hugging kind. He was especially attentive in helping the elderly, disabled, or moms with young kids. He will be remembered for his storytelling, lush and bountiful vegetable gardens, and legendary fishing skills to name a few. He lived a full and happy life, and although he will be greatly missed, those who love him find comfort in knowing how happy he was to be reunited with his son and so many other friends and family that have gone before him.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; his son, Darryn (Sue); grandson, Robert; brothers, Byron and Dick (Inez); brothers-in law, Glenn (Diane) and David (Bonnie); nieces, Linda, Debbie, Judy, Edie, Carol, Peggy and Marci; nephews, Dean and Daniel; and honorary grandchildren, Carson and Maya Allee, Brandon and Allison Peterson, and Carter Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his son, Dalen; parents, Ross and Laura; sister, Janice; and in-laws, Melvin and Merlett.
The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 2 p.m., with visitation from 1-2 p.m., at New Hope Lutheran Church in Grantsburg, with Pastor Emory Johnson officiating with a luncheon to follow.
Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at swedberg-taylor.com.
