David Lawrence Einfeldt ("Poppo") passed away Saturday, August 23, 2014 surrounded by loved ones in a Birmingham, Alabama hospital due to injuries sustained in an auto accident the preceding Monday. He held on to the threads of life until his daughter Suzi could arrive to bring love and word from Utah, and to make sure his dear wife Etoy was going to survive. He always thought of others. Even the day of the accident, Dad and Etoy were in route to check on family and serve where they were needed. His story is one of service and acceptance from the beginning. We would have celebrated dad's 79th birthday this November 27th. He entered this mortality in Moline, Illinois to the embrace of Aton (Tony) Aloise and Beda Teresa Swanson Einfeldt to join the family with his older brother Karel Scott (Scottie) to be raised on the banks of the mighty Mississippi in and around Moline and Rock Island. They were taught hard work and a love of sports, especially baseball. They would sneak their prized transistor radio into their bedroom after their parents were fast asleep to catch the favored St Louis Cardinals games.
In his teen years the family moved to sunny southern California where his mother schemed and lined him up with Judith Carole Newburg. Bonds formed immediately. Dave enlisted in the army after graduating from San Pedro High School while Judy finished her senior year. They were married September 24, 1954 reveling in sunshine. They began their family by first welcoming Jeffery Scott (Debi) of Holladay, and then Keith Timothy (Maureen) of Cedar City. It was then that dad realized his family was the most important thing and followed the example set by Judy and her parents. Dave joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and their marriage was solemnized in the Los Angeles Temple where his love of the temple became a driving force for the remainder of his life. Dave and Judy welcomed Kari Lynn (Jerry) Ohrn of South Jordan, Steven Joseph (Sherri) of Kaysville, and finally Suzanne Marie (Cal) Neerings of Riverton as their biological heirs knowing there would be eternal claims on both parties when time concludes. They lived in Southern California and then in Central California on an almond ranch in Manteca while working for California Gas and Electric, Mutual of Omaha, California Youth Authority, and the Boy Scouts of America. After a three year stay in Sacramento, the family then moved to Salt Lake City. The family sank deep roots at the base of Mount Olympus in Holladay, Utah where the grandeur of the high mountain peaks inspired Dave to live so he could return to the home of the Gods. He remained in the shadows of this grand mountain watching his family grow, marry and continue in righteous traditions while he tenderly cared for his sweetheart with gentle hands, witnessing her deterioration and transition into the eternities. Judy died in 2001. With each child sealed in the temple and raising their own families, Dad felt a yearning to continue service, not wanting to be shelved or pastured. He had a lot of life to live, the fight was not over and he would continue to find ways to serve.
Calls from "Uncle" Dave and "Aunt" Bobbi Sanders in Alabama recruited him to haul hay and introduced needs beyond Holladay. They immersed him in southern hospitality, hard work in heavy humidity, the peace of rural life again, to Dreamland BBQ Ribs, and schemed for him to meet Etoy Largin. Dave fell in love with all of these, particularly Etoy. They were married on August 10, 2002 for time in the Jordan River Temple. In this union, Dave's family doubled with the addition of her five children: Steven (Lucas), Shannon Campbell (Brad), Paige Ali, Lee Andra Calvin (Joe), Erik (Alyse), and their families. This union enlivened Dave and together they were both able to serve in greater capacities than they could have before. The synergy of these two united in godly purposes and opened doors for them to serve in the Birmingham Temple presidency binding families together for the eternities. Dave truly enjoyed every opportunity to use this God given authority to bind earthly things in heaven. This is what he experienced early on in the Los Angeles temple with his little family kneeling at the altars of our God. This is what he continued to teach by example and word. He leaves this grand legacy to his surviving family: wife Etoy, combined 10 children and spouses, 47 grandchildren and their 17 spouses and 44 great grandchildren and 4 currently on the way. Dave's posterity was everything to him as families are forever. He is also survived by his brother, Karel in Modesto, California. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Judy and granddaughter, Megan.
A funeral service was held in Birmingham, Alabama on August 26, 2014. Another service will be held on Saturday, August 30, at 2:00 p.m. at the Larkin Mortuary, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah, with a receiving line beginning at 11:30 am.
