Helen Marie (Ross) David

Helen Marie David (Ross)
02/11/1932 – 02/07/2026

Helen Marie David, age 93 & 7/8’s, of Bigfork, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at Bigfork Valley Aspen Circle Nursing Home on February 7th, 2026. She was born to James & Isebella Ross February 11th, 1932, in Bedford, Indiana. 

Married January 15th,1949 to her husband Robert (Bob) David at the Precious Blood Catholic Church, Chicago, IL. 65 years of marriage, six children with a grand total of 100 grandkids, great grandkids, & great great grandkids!!! 

Born in Indiana and moved to Illinois when she was only 5 or 6 years old. Then on to Minnesota 1974 to seek out retirement on a River in Bigfork, Minnesota. 

She held many jobs throughout her lifetime, from cleaning offices at night with her sister MaryAnn, working assembly & factory work, to working at her sister & brother in-law’s store Park Rec before completely retiring.  

A devout Catholic all her life. She loved the Catholic Church. Volunteered many hours on the church committee for the additions and helped planned fundraisers to go towards the remodel here at Our Lady of the Snows. She loved to pray the rosery to honor Mary and Jesus. Sharing her love of God with her family and friends as much as possible.

Helen was part of the Women’s Bowling League in Willowbrook, IL. Word had it, she was an amazing bowler. She was the ringleader in the ladies Poker Party (Penny Poker with three- raises max) in the afternoons once a week typically on Wednesdays, rotating to a different ladies house each week. She loved her card games. In her younger years (500 Rummy & Canasta “her favorite”). The love of a good card game, or gambling followed her throughout her life. She hosted card games at her house on the Bigfork River, mostly the game Spades / along with Poker and other games – many gathered for it. In her late years she grew to like the game Skip-Bo, which became the only card game the family played in her later years. Taught to everyone and loved by all. I don’t believe there is one David that doesn’t know the game. Her and Her husband enjoyed Bingo nights and if they won at Bingo they would splurge at some slots and Keno. Cass Lake & Red Lake where their favorite casinos. Casino staff knew them on a first name basis. She enjoyed Carlo Rossi wine, loved gardening, picking wild raspberries & blueberries with her grandchildren, and loved animals. One thing many family & friends will forever cherish is the memories made at Spaghetti Sunday dinners that she hosted weekly most of her life. Where everyone was welcome and no one turned away. A weekly gathering of family and friends, filling your stomach, laughing, catching up with one another, and just being together.

As Macular Degeneration slowly took her vision, and dementia robbed her mind she found peace in singing, humming, clapping her hands together or on her thighs, and having company. Her real joys/adventures were her outings with her grandson Bob - going for car rides listening to some Old Italian Tunes and Johnny Cash, side by side rides, bar bingo, visiting Little American Falls, fishing, wrestling her great-grandson Noah then complaining the next three days that her muscles were sore, visiting the family cabin and even listening to an episode of South Park or two. A big smile on her face whenever she was with Bob. 

Family left to cherish the memory of Helen include Son James (Joan) David of Santa Ana, CA, Son-in-law Richard White of Bigfork, MN. Daughter Cindy Cruz of Debary, FL, Son Gustave E. (Marilyn) David of Bigfork, MN, Son Anthony (Kelly) David of Rush City, MN, and Son Frank (Kaylee) Sweedman of Libby, MT. Twenty-Nine Grandchildren, sixty-six Great Grandchildren, and five great, great grandchildren. A grand total of 100 grandchildren!! Wow how lucky she was!

Preceded in her death by her husband Robert L. David (Bob), daughter Susan A. White, Grandson’s Louie R. Cruz and Nicolas C. Kaler, and Great Granddaughter Katelynn L. David. Parents James & Isabella Ross, brother John Ross, and sister MaryAnn David. 

Visitation Friday February 20th, 2026, from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. @ Carrol Funeral Home Bigfork.

Funeral services to honor the life of Helen will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 21st, 2026, at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church Bigfork. Immediately preceding the funeral, Helen will be laid to rest in Bigfork Cemetery. 

Arrangements and care have been entrusted to Carroll Funeral Home in Deer River, MN. 

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