David Hojnacki

David Michael Hojnacki, 86, of Duluth, died Wednesday July 5, 2017 at Essentia Health, St. Mary’s Hospital. He was born January 14, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Stephen E. and Adeline S. (Peplinski) Hojnacki. He was a graduate of Messmer High School in Milwaukee and Marquette University. Dave was a Marine veteran of the Korean War. He married Burnett Mary Bertie on September 17, 1967 in Wakefield, MI, at which time they moved to Duluth. Dave was the Regional Supervisor for Aetna Life & Casualty Insurance Company, working in the claims department for 35 years, and retiring in 1984. He was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Serra Club, Friars of St. Francis, Knights of Columbus. Dave volunteered for 24 years at St. Mary's Hospital. He served as the Douglas County coordinator for the Wisconsin Bluebird Society, where he attended to 64 Bluebird houses, checking on eggs, birds hatched and fledged. He also served on the Board of Director's for the Eau Claire Lakes Property Owner's Association. He enjoyed the outdoors, time spent at his cabin, fishing, bow hunting and making Bluebird houses for the Douglas County Bluebird Society. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Carl; his sister Vivian Hojnacki; and his wife Burnett on July 30, 2011. Dave is survived by his sister Bernadine Rodden of North Port, FL; three nieces and two nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 9AM until the 10AM Memorial Service on Tuesday July 11, 2017 at The Benedictine Living Community Chapel, Duluth, Minn. 915 Kenwood Ave. Duluth, MN 55811.  Military honors will be accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard. Burial will be at Norway Township Cemetery in Norway, MI. Memorials preferred to Cathedral of our Lady of the Rosary 2801 E. 4th St. Duluth, MN 55812 or the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805. 218-727-3555.