David "Dave" Greiner

David Thomas Greiner was born on April 25, 1976, to Dan Forsberg and Noni (Stern) Greiner in Beatrice, Nebraska. The family moved to the Brooten/Belgrade/Elrosa area where Dave attended and graduated high school in 1995. Dave continued his education at Alexandria Technical College earning his AAS degree in Diesel Mechanics. Following his schooling, Dave started working in construction and masonry primary with Bitzan/Ohren Masonry. Dave was united in marriage to Jess Fletcher on January 26, 2002 in Alexandria. In February 2002, Dave joined the United States Air Force. Dave was stationed in Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida. Dave worked as a helicopter mechanic for three years until Dave was transferred to the Duluth Air National Guard Base where Dave served as a heavy equipment operator. During his time in the Air Force Guards, Dave achieved the rank of Master Sergeant (E7). Dave completed two tours in Afghanistan and two stateside tours. Dave continued his training on his drill weekends and was due to retire in October with 20 years of service. After his transfer to Duluth, Dave and Jess moved back to the Alexandria area where Dave continued his work in construction and masonry.

Dave was adventurous and loved spending time outdoors deer hunting, camping, and being out on the lake on the pontoon. His greatest joy in life was his family whether it was spending time with Jess and their two dogs, playing XBox with his brothers, nephew, and niece, or being the “favorite” uncle to all of his nieces and nephews. Dave will be remembered for many things, but those that stand out are his kindness, dedication, and humility. Dave may have been quiet, but his big heart spoke volumes.

Dave died tragically in an automobile accident on his way to one of his last guard weekends on Friday, May 14, 2021, at the age of 45. Dave is survived by his wife: Jess Greiner and their two dogs: Tonka and Star; his parents: Dan (Deb) Forsberg and Noni (Thom) Greiner; two brothers: Jason (Amber) Greiner and Matt (Brittany) Forsberg; two sisters: Nicole (Jeremie) Folger and Heather (Russ) Cross; and 14 nieces and nephews: Ericka, Emalie, Ethan, and Elinor Greiner, Alaska and Baby Forsberg, Rhett and Maverick Folger, Emma and Grace Schloegl, Abby and Ashley Zwieg, Hadden and Lane Steen, Macey and Bailey Waltke. Dave is preceded in death by his Forsberg, Stern, and Greiner grandparents and several other beloved family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM on Friday, May 21, 2021, at the Anderson Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church.  This service will be live-streamed and recorded for family and friends to view from Dave’s obituary page on the Anderson Funeral Home website at 11:00 AM on Saturday. Burial will be at Kinkead Cemetery.

In lieu of memorials and flowers, please send a donation to woundedpawproject.org or mail to Wounded Paw Project, PO Box 1886, Merrifield, VA 22116-8086.