David “Vin” Wenninger, age 74 of Sturgeon Lake, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2025 peacefully at his home surrounded by his family.

Dave was born June 23, 1951 in New Ulm, Minn., to Melvin and MaryAnn Wenninger. On June 27, 1970 he married the love of his life, Christine H. Kohn at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Together they built a beautiful life, making homes in Arizona, New Ulm, Prior Lake and finally Sturgeon Lake, always surrounded by family and friends.

Dave was an entrepreneur and problem-solver. Starting Source Machine in his garage in Prior Lake, he built it into a successful business that became the foundation for other ventures.

Dave was much, much more. He was a master machinist, electrician, plumber, automotive expert, bookkeeper and could handle most any trade you could think of. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix, build, or figure out and he solved problems in his garage and sometimes with others that most could not.

Dave loved life. He restored cars and he was so proud of his 70 GTO Judge and his beloved 57 Chevy Bel Air, which he modified with a 4-speed transmission, headers, and a bigger engine  for racing at Brainerd Raceway and Iron River, Wisc. His 2007 Chevy Silverado LS 3500 “Big Red” was always ready for whatever adventure came next. He was the “Wanda Walleye Slayer and Tracker” – a fishing legend who was everyone’s go-to fishing counselor. He was our RV expert, hunting guru, and later in life became quite the chef, especially loving the art of BBQ.

But perhaps most importantly, Dave was our family’s patriarch, our MacGyver, who could fix anything, including a heart, with whatever was on hand when needed. He was the birthday singer who never missed celebrating his kids and grandkids, the lifesaver at the fire department, and yes, occasionally the DNR “violator” and “instigator” (his favorite titles… right Duane!). He also looked remarkably like Randy Owen from Alabama, and we loved teasing him about it. It gave him a pep to his step.

Dave served his community. He was a member of the Sturgeon Lake Lions Club and Fire Department, always ready to lend a helping hand.

Dave is survived by his wife Christine; children, Michelle (Kollen) Parsons of Belle Plaine and Nathan (Jill) Wenninger of Webster; siblings, Diana (Richard) Hacker of Winthrop, Duane Wenninger of Winter Haven Florida, Donna (Ron – R.I.P.) Portner of Winthrop, Denis (Dody) Wenninger of Sauk Centre and Dondi (Susannah) Wenninger of Sauk Centre; five grandchildren, Dylan (Kate), Madison, Jackson, Logan and Charlie; and three great-grandchildren, Joshua, Benjamin and Alice.

He was preceded in death by his parents, MaryAnn Wenninger (February 21, 2009) and Melvin E. Wenninger (April 11, 2010).

Celebrating Dave’s Life: We will gather for a Celebration of Life on Wednesday, July 23 at 3 p.m. to share stories, laughter, and memories of this man who meant so much to so many.