David (Dave) Eidse, age 86, passed away peacefully with family at his side on December 2, 2013 at the Heritage Life PCH in Niverville, MB. He succumbed to an acute respiratory illness, after a lengthy decline due to Alzheimer Disease. Dave Eidse was born in Rosenhof, Manitoba (near Rosenort) on June 18, 1927. He was one of 19 children born to his parents, David K. and Elizabeth Eidse (nee Friesen). Of these children, he is survived by only two brothers Benny and Johnnie, as well as four sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law. Dave and Susie (Siemens) met at a school ballgame as teenagers and it was “love at first sight”. Their courtship included meeting at the Rosenhof hockey rink for skating. They were married on October 1, 1950, the year of the Big Flood. After a short honeymoon in Kenora, Dave continued farming, first on the Eidse family homestead, then at Peter’s Farm (near Lowe Farm) and eventually settling down on their own farmstead north of Lowe Farm. Two children were born to them, Elywn in 1953 and LaVerna in 1954. In 1969 Dave relocated his family to the former Pleasant Valley school yard next to the church. Dave completed high school as an adult, in order to attend Steinbach Bible Institute. He graduated after two years of study and was ordained to be a minister in the Rosenort EMC church in 1960. His education was considered ideal for transitioning this congregation to English language sermons, somewhat of a “first” for this former Kleine Gemeinde congregation. He was the first lay minister at the Pleasant Valley EMC church when it opened in 1961 and together with Susie, served there until 1976. Dave and Susie then followed their dream of getting involved in mission work, and served with the EMC Mission Board for approximately 15 years, retiring in Rosenort in 1991. Their church planting work with Low German speaking Mennonites in Mexico, Ontario and Iowa was very rewarding to them both. Dave and Susie lived in their Rosenort home until Susie’s death in January 2003. That same year, Dave moved into an apartment at the Rosenort Heritage Centre. Here he was able to maintain a high level of independence in a very supportive environment until his move to Bethesda Place PCH in 2010, and later he was cared for at Heritage Life PCH for a few weeks. The family is extremely grateful to all who cared for him during this time. Dave was predeceased by his beloved wife Susie. He is lovingly remembered by his two children and their families: son Elwyn & Annette of Niverville, grandson David & Lyndsay (Evra, Tyrrel & Ashton), grandson Jeff & Theresa, granddaughter Patricia, granddaughter Destiny & Jason Klassen (Hannah); daughter LaVerna & Timothy Reimer of Toronto, granddaughter Diedre & Aaron Sportack (Suzi, River), grandson Tobin & Meghan, and grandson Karl & Jacqueline. As well, he will be missed by his surviving “geschwista”(including the Siemens family) and numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will be held Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, Manitoba. There will also be a viewing at the church prior to the service. The funeral service will be held Friday, December 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Church, Rosenort, Manitoba. Interment to follow at EMC Church Cemetery, Rosenort, Manitoba. Should friends so desire, donations in Dave’s memory may be made to EMC Missions, 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB, R5G 1Z5.