David Michael Palava

David Michael Palava

March 18, 1959     January 1, 2024

David “Mickey” Palava, 64, longtime resident of Buck Lake, MN died Monday, January 1, 2024 at his home in Hibbing surrounded by his daughters. He was born March 18, 1959 to Michael and Marilyn (Thornberg) Palava in Hibbing. Mick was an incredible artist, pool shark, voracious reader, and unrivaled handyman. There wasn’t anything that he couldn’t build or fix. He enjoyed restoring clocks, woodworking, building models, repairing guns, oil painting, and making toys for the grandkids - to name a few. The more complex the project, the better. He also loved a good horror movie and Stephen King novels. In his younger years, Mick was known for driving fast cars and raising hell north of Nashwauk. He thoroughly enjoyed retelling the tales of his police escorts out of town when he and the crew got too rowdy. As the years passed he never lost his penchant for mischief; he remained young at heart even as his priorities shifted to being a loving dad and grandfather.

Mick’s love of family ran deep and he was known for texting them daily words of humor and encouragement. He believed his daughters and grandchildren walked on water and made sure everyone knew it. He was their biggest cheerleader. He was also the strongest man they ever knew. No matter what life threw at him, he remained independent. No one told him what to do more than once. Mick was a rule-breaker who defied the odds at every turn and was a living example of what it means to be tough and persevere. He was complex, generous and loyal. There will never be another like him. Mick will be fiercely missed by his three kitties (Tigger, Sammy the Bull, and Rhett Butler), his parrot (Patrick), beloved daughters, family, and many friends.

Mick is survived by his daughters, Bobbie Lou (John) Buss, Hibbing, MN and Carrie Ann (Gary) Manner, Lake Stevens, WA, his mother, Marilyn “Chummy” Boldt of Missouri, siblings, Derrick Palava, Buck Lake, MN, Tina (Chris Chrislock) Campbell, Eveleth, MN, Michael Palava, Gilbert, MN, and Trisha Ellefson, Walker, MN, his two grandchildren, Mckenzie Ann and Jonathan Michael Buss, along with his two nieces and nephew, Christina, Teal, and Tyler Campbell.  He was preceded in death by his father, Michael Palava, and an infant twin brother, Patrick Palava.  

Funeral services for David will be 12:00 pm, Saturday, January 6, 2024 at the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing. The Rev. David Aho will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home on Saturday.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.  

To leave an online message of condolence; please visit us at; www.doughertyofhibbing.com.