David Arthur Belzer

David Arthur Belzer was born on January 26, 1936 to Arthur and Marjie Belzer in Lisbon, North Dakota. He grew up as a proud farm boy until age 13 when they moved into town as his dad became a pastor. David graduated from Regent High School in 1953. He always wanted to be a truck driver. He began roofing houses with his older brother Gordon. And literally began running from a call to preach, but he finally said “yes” to God’s call on his life and attended Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, ID graduating in 1960. 

It was there that he met his wife Barbara Markle. They were married on June 5, 1958. After graduating from college, they moved to Aberdeen, SD to pastor a home mission church for the next 4 years. Then in 1966 they moved to Miller, SD to pastor another home mission church where they raised their kids and lived for 15 1/2 years. While living in Miller, David also roofed houses, barns, garages, etc. He also tilled gardens, built rock fireplaces, and occasionally moved single car garages. 

In the fall of 1981 David resigned from pastoral ministry and entered the field of evangelism, leading services all across the United States until 2019.

In May of 2013 David’s wife Barbara passed away. Then in April of 2015 David married Carol Loon and they were married until his passing away.

In David’s retirement years he hooked on to doing devotionals online where he did a show and tell, prayed, read a scripture and sang a hymn. David did 1,898 of these online devotions, and had number 1,899 ready to go right before he broke his hip and wasn’t able to do another one. 

David is preceded in death by his parents Arthur Belzer and Marjie Belzer, first wife Barbara Belzer, and brothers Norman, Wesley, Gordon, and Verne; his daughter in-law Ann Belzer and his wife Carol passed away 5 days after David passed. 

David is survived by his three children, Dennis Belzer (Chandler, AZ), Judy Nist (Chandler AZ), and Rev. Ed (Lori) Belzer (Aurora, CO); four grandchildren, Jeremy (Sarah) Nist, Andrew (Merry Ellen) Nist, Nick (Ellie) Nist and Robyn Belzer; one great grandson, Ocean Marshall Nist; his sister, Karen Mangum and brothers, Rev. Chuck (Kaye) Belzer and Bob (Flora) Belzer; his sisters-in-law, Shirley Belzer, Carol Belzer, Rose Mary Kauffman and Carolyn Markle, and a host of nieces and nephews. 

A Celebration of Life service is planned for Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 10:30 am at the Miller Church of the Nazarene, 215 W. 9th Street, Miller, SD 57362. 

If you would like to make a donation in memory of David, make your checks or donation to the Miller Church of the Nazarene.