David Woodruff, 60

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 7, 2009

The memorial service for David Joseph Woodruff will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 9, at St. Theodore Catholic Church, 315 E. Clark St., Albert Lea. It will be followed by a light supper. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Michael Tegeder and Deacon Michael Ellis will officiate.  
After more than two years of fighting cancer, Dave died on March 5, 2009, at his home, with his wife and two children by his side. He was 60 years old.
Dave was born on Aug. 21, 1948, in Omaha, Neb. He grew up in Grand Island, Neb. Dave attended St. John’s University for his undergraduate studies and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for law school. He was admitted to the bar in both Nebraska and Minnesota. He spent the first year of his practice as a volunteer for the Vista program. Dave went on to work for the IRS for many years, later moving to Albert Lea where he worked as a lawyer and he later made a career change and worked as a postal carrier. After retiring, he enjoyed activities such as writing letters to the editor of the Albert Lea Tribune about issues in the local community that were of concern to him, and spending time with the people who were important to him. Dave enjoyed bicyling and sailing, and in past years he enjoyed a variety of activities such as protesting in the anti-war movement, riding his motorcycle and creating stained glass works. Dave was always concerned about ensuring justice was served and he believed in the importance of being honest and fair. Such concerns and beliefs permeated every decision he made. His kind and gentle nature and subtle but wonderful sense of humor were traits valued by his friends and family members.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Woodruff; his two children, Jennifer Woodruff and John Woodruff; Dave’s parents, Bradley and Margaret; and his five siblings, Rol, Jim, Mark, Mary and John. Jennifer and her spouse Michael Driedger are expecting their first child in April of 2009, which will be the first grandchild for Dave and Carol. 
In lieu of flowers, the following memorial is preferrred: Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First SW, Rochester, MN, 55905 (specified as a Cancer Research memorial).  Checks should be made out to the Mayo Clinic.