David Furkalo

It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness we announce the passing of David Franklin Furkalo on Easter Sunday April 5th, 2026, surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer at the age of 75 years. 

David was born to Frank and Katherine Furkalo in Gilbert Plains on November 20th, 1950.  David grew up on a farm as the oldest child in a large family in Grandview.  David was his father Frank’s “right hand man” from an early age and worked extremely hard to contribute to the success of the family farm.  David was a bright student, received awards through 4-H Clubs, and enjoyed hockey, skating, and everything airplane, motorcycle, bulldozer and engine related.

On September 25th, 1971, David married his beloved wife, Gloria. Together, they raised three children - Daryl, Delores and Rhonda. They shared their love of farming for many years, and after their retirement they embraced and enjoyed the peace and calm of country living. The farm is where David felt most at home and always enjoyed entertaining family and friends. When David wasn’t farming or entertaining, he could be found tinkering in the yard and repairing as he was incredibly skilled with mechanics. If it had a motor, David would get it to run.  

In addition, David had a genuine love and appreciation for people and nature, and was passionate about coffee visits with family and friends. He enthusiastically embraced every opportunity to go for a ride through the country so that he could watch the sky, admire the land, crops, livestock and wildlife.  These moments became even more special to him when his grandchildren were riding with him, as David enjoyed sharing family history and memories about past landowners. Some of his grandchildren were even lucky enough to enjoy country back road driving lessons with grandpa!

David was a special man who will be lovingly remembered by all for his love of storytelling, quick wit, rascally smile, and remarkable sense of humor. David knew how to make a joke, take a joke, and share a joke, and he had a gift for laughter. Most importantly, he was an immensely proud husband, father and grandpa.  David will be greatly missed by all who knew him, for he was the epitome of kindness, compassion and humbleness. 

David will be dearly missed, and his memory will be forever cherished by his loving wife Gloria, son Daryl (partner Oksana, granddaughter Nicole), daughters Delores (husband Dan, granddaughters Emma and Avery and grand pet Max) and Rhonda (husband Brent, granddaughters Leah and Anna and grand pet Oakley). David will also be fondly remembered by his siblings Sandra (Jim), Betty (Maurice), Monte (Karen), James, Kathy (George), Don (Carla), Phyllis (Jim), and his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Linda, MaryAnn (Merle), Christine, Gaylene (Mervin), Esther (Rick), Helen (Norm), Roy, Mervin (Tracy) and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and special friends. 

David was predeceased by his parents Frank and Katherine, older sister in infancy Diane, brothers-in-law Nick and Jerry, sister-in-law Nellie and nephew Braden.

Our family extends our deepest gratitude to the staff of Grandview Hospital and all of David’s special visitors during his final days.  

A Celebration of Life was held for David on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 2:00 pm from the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grandview Community Foundation - Grandview Hospital. Furthermore, if you have an opportunity to take a break from all of life’s demands and busyness, David would want you to go for a drive (ideally on a motorcycle), enjoy a walk in nature, or have a coffee visit with your favourite people.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of David Furkalo, please visit our Tree Store.