David E. Solid Jr.

David Ernest Solid, Jr, 73, of North Fond du Lac, WI died peacefully with wife, Mary Jo and family by his side on July 17, 2022. He passed away from lung cancer and complications from Agent Orange exposure. Dave was a lifelong Christian and is celebrating eternal life. He entered the gates of heaven welcomed by many loved ones.



Dave was born to David & Dorothy Solid on July 30, 1948 in Wahpeton, ND. He was raised in Hankinson, ND and was a talented athlete, excelling at football and basketball. He graduated from Hankinson High School in 1966. Dave carried his love of sports with him throughout his life through participating, coaching and watching his favorite teams.



Dave attended Valley City State in Jamestown, ND where he played football. He went on to earn his FCC Class 1 Broadcast License at Brown Institute in Minneapolis, MN. While living in Minneapolis, he met Mary Jo Olson in 1968. He immediately knew he had met the love of his life. As the war in Viet Nam heated up, Dave volunteered for service and joined the Army in November, 1968. He served with the 11th Armored Cavalry, Blackhorse Regiment in the 398th Transportation Detachment as a crew chief in aircraft maintenance. He proudly served his country in Vietnam from June, 1969- June, 1970.



Dave and Mary Jo married on July 3, 1971 in Morris, MN and moved to North Fond du Lac, WI. He was a fantastic father to his three daughters, Renee, Shawna & Allison. He found so much joy as a father and grandfather. Everyone knew how much he loved his girls and how proud he was of them. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed teasing them and watching them participate in sports and activities. His heart was overjoyed to welcome another grandson just two weeks prior to his death.

Dave worked for the Soo Line Railroad as a diesel electrician from 1971-1992. He then worked for Mercury Marine as a maintenance electrician from 1992 until his retirement in 2010.



Dave served his community in many ways. He was a fireman for the North Fond du Lac Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years (1973-1993) and the EMS for 15 years. The Fire Department & EMS organizations were family and he cherished the hard work, fun times and lifelong friendships he gained through his service. Dave also served on the School Board and was the girls basketball coach at Redeemer Lutheran and coached youth softball for NFDL for many years.



Dave enjoyed deer hunting and the antics of "hunting camp" with friends. For the past 22 years he has traveled to his sister's house in New Salem, ND to hunt pheasants with his son in law, Wade, and extended family.



A very social guy, Dave never met a stranger and would find connections with every person he met. He enjoyed reconnecting with the friends he served with in Vietnam each year at the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment reunions. He was a member of the EAA and enjoyed attending the gathering each year as a volunteer and spectator. He enjoyed walking with his dog, Duchess, and his good friend, Pete Zinniel, solving the world's problems and visiting with friends and neighbors all around the Village.



Dave is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Jo, of North Fond du Lac; daughters Shawna (Wade) Knutson, Charlotte, NC and Allison (Jonathan Alexander) Solid, Clemmons, NC; son in law, Scott Zager, Brown Deer, WI. He will be missed by his grandchildren Brady & Soren Knutson, Joanna Zager and Nolan Alexander. Dave is further survived by his sisters Susan (Don) Anderson, New London, MN and Jeanne (Lorren) Hoger, New Salem, ND; cousins, Charlotte & Rhonda Scheller; niece Robin (Kevin) VanEgtern, Oakfield, WI; the Aird Family (Debbie, Paul, April & Andy) of Fond du Lac; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to list. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Renee, and his parents.



Visitation will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022 from 12:30pm - 4:00PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, NFDL. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 4:00 PM with Rev. Michael Kampman officiating. Cremation has taken place.



Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com