David LaVerne Taylor

David “Dave” LaVerne Taylor, age 76, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on November 12, 2022, at home surrounded by his family after an eight-year battle with cancer. Dave was born September 16, 1946, in Austin, Minnesota to Louis “Tip” and Marian (Barr) Taylor. He graduated with the class of 1964 from Lyle High School and went on to attend Austin Junior College and Mankato State University.  He met the love of his life Carmel Petersen while attending Austin Junior College. In 1965, Dave began working at Hormel until 1968 when he was drafted into the United States Army and served until 1971, when he was honorably discharged. While in the service, he married Carmel Petersen on July 3, 1970, in Goeppingen, Germany. In 1971, Dave returned to Hormel. While working at Hormel, Dave became a rural postal carrier and for several years, delivered mail during the day while working nights at Hormel. During his retirement, he delivered for Sterling Main Street until 2017.

He was a member of the Eagle’s Club and the American Legion Post 91 in Austin. Dave loved sports; he enjoyed playing, spectating, and was an avid fan of the Minnesota Gophers. His love for sports started in high school; he played football, basketball, and baseball and went on to play basketball at the Austin Junior College. Dave enjoyed his cars, riding motorcycle, and listening to music, especially Ray Charles and Otis Redding. Dave was known to be hard working, very trustworthy and always loved to start a good debate. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Carmel Taylor of Austin, MN; daughter, Terri (Denny) Zwiener of Blooming Prairie, MN; son, Todd Taylor of Austin, MN; five grandchildren, Taylor, Bo, Breklynn, Shelby and Daxton; brother, Michael (Kim) Taylor of Lyle, MN; sister-in-law, Jane Taylor of Austin, MN, sister-in-law Judy Hebl of Brownsdale, MN and brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Merry Petersen of Austin, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis “Tip” and Marian Taylor; stepmother, Elizabeth Taylor; and brother, Rodney Taylor.