David Rumbolz

Dates

Obituary

David Rumbolz, 78, of Mitchell, SD, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, May 3, 2026, at his home in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Sunday, June 14, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell.

David Joseph Rumbolz was born December 2, 1947, to Ernest Rumbolz Jr. and MaryAnn (Zwinger) Rumbolz in Parkston, South Dakota. Dave's school days consisted of Sandelm Farm School, Mitchell South Dakota; Ethan Elementary, Ethan, South Dakota; Crippled Children of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and he attended Junior High at Whittier and Mitchell High School.

Dave was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1956. On November 18, 1956, Dave received his First Communion at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Father Joyce was his priest.

On November 19, 1956, Dave had brain surgery. He beat the odds but ended up paralyzed on his right side. Dave resided at the Crippled Children's Hospital for 3 years. He learned to read, talk, write, and walk all over again. He was left with a stutter, which he was very self-conscious of, but ultimately he triumphed over the odds.

His biggest joy of all was getting to meet Captain Eleven. Dave loved that Captain and had his picture taken with him. Dave loved sports, and he loved to play baseball, tackle football, and made jump shots like a pro. He was up for a game of horse anytime.

His interest and knowledge of all NBA, NFL, and MLB players, scores, games, baskets that were made, their wingspan, along with their dates of birth. He would be able to tell you all of this, up until the night before his passing. He also knew the highest NBA scorers of all time and who were the tallest players. His memory was phenomenal.

Some of his favorite sports teams were the New York Yankees, Boston Celtics, and Baltimore Colts.

Dave also loved to travel. He had traveled from coast to coast, spending a lot of time in West Virginia and Illinois visiting his brother Gary and his family. He loved Washington, California, Denver, Colorado, and Tennessee. He always did come back home to his roots, South Dakota.

Dave also worked many places, such as Rumbolz Conoco, Herters, Crippled Children's in Sioux Falls, The Blind School in Denver, CO, and The YMCA in Sioux Falls.

Dave was so social, he loved to talk and loved company. He loved coffee with his buddies  (most of them he now joins in Heaven for "their" coffee). He loved his Cathedral Square family, he loved his At Home family, and his Dakota Home Health family. His core family.  He loved everyone.

Dave is survived by his brother, Gary (Cheryl) of Sterling, IL; sister, Diane (Jim) Suhr of Phoenix, AZ; sisters-in-law, Bev Rumbolz and LaRee Rumbolz both of Mitchell; 42 nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie Rumbolz Jr. and MaryAnn Rumbolz; brothers, Charles and James; sister, Deb Rumbolz; niece, Mindy Rumbolz; nephew, Steven Paul Rumbolz; paternal grandparents, Ernest and Effie Rumbolz; and maternal grandparents, Alfred and Ann Friedel.

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