David J. Heimdahl, 64, of Alexandria, MN. He was born in Havre, Mont.; grew up in St. Louis Park, where he graduated from high school in 1967; and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Moorhead State University in 1971.

After college, David worked as Youth Director and Director of Camp Cormorant at the YMCA in Fargo, N.D., where he lived until 2011.

At 24, David suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a car accident. After years of rehab and recovery, David not only survived, but thrived. David's perseverance became an inspiration to many, and his life can be described as miraculous. All will miss this sweet, funny man dearly.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Finn T. and Alice Lien Heimdahl; nephew, Matthew Finn Andersen; and his dog, Smokey.

David is survived by his siblings, Shelley (Gary) Grant of Havre, Mont., Annie Heimdahl, Alexandria, Merry McIntyre, Los Alamos, N.M., Lori (Robert) Heimdahl Gibson, Los Alamos and Peter L. Heimdahl, Los Alamos, N.M.; and many nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to sister Annie Heimdahl, formally of Park Rapids, for her loving care of David these last few years.