David William Sallee

David Sallee, age 86, was born in Waterloo, IA on March 15, 1939. He passed away on May 14, 2025, at Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, ND.

David grew up in Waterloo, IA where he attended school, helped on the family acreage, raised chickens and bees for 4-H. In high school he played French horn, sang in the choir, and played basketball. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1962 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His first job out of college was with the Boeing company working part design for the Saturn 5 rocket booster which was used for nine crewed space flights to the Moon and to launch Skylab, the first American space station. This was one of his proudest work achievements. While in college, he met Kathy Kay (Erickson) and they were married on December 27, 1962, and shared 36 years together. Together they had a daughter, Heidi, and a son, Greg, and raised them together in Roseville, MN. He enjoyed watching his children perform at various musical and sporting events. They had many memorable family trips, events, and holidays over the years.

He also had an adventurous spirit including sky diving and motor cycling. He kept active throughout his adult life with various sports: tennis, bicycling, disc golf, board sailing, men’s softball, downhill skiing, and golf.

After retiring he met Kathleen “KaDee” (Drewett-Watczak), and they were married on April 10, 2004. They lived in Plymouth and Minnetonka, MN. They traveled around the world going on cruises in all hemispheres, and trips in the U.S. to Florida and California. These trips added to David’s list of adventures.

David spent the last year of his life living in Fargo ND near his daughter, Heidi, and family. Our entire family is thankful to the Touchmark staff for their compassionate care of David and the wonderful, friendly environment.

David was preceded in death by his father Clifford Sallee, mother Helen (Davis) Sallee, baby sister Caroline, and brother-in-law Kevin Wall. His survivors are wife Kathleen “KaDee”(Drewett-Watczak) Sallee, brother James Sallee, sister Kathleen M. Sallee, former wife Kathy (Erickson) Sallee, daughter Heidi (Sallee) Gackle and son-in-law Todd Gackle, son Greg Sallee and daughter-in-law Maria Jose’ Monesterio, stepson Jeffrey J. Watczak, stepson James R. Watczak; grandchildren, Joshua Gackle and Amanda (Rogalla) Gackle, Nicholas Gackle, and Sofia Sallee; great grandsons, Max and Jack Gackle. There are also many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

David was proud of his children, grandchildren, great grandsons, and stepsons. We will all miss his love and unique sense of humor!

A service for David will be held in the Twin Cities later this summer.