My husband, my true love, my anchor, my friend (my mechanic!) passed away Monday, November 5, 2018, after a mighty struggle with cancer.
David John Huttinga of Amsterdam, MT, was born on August 8, 1963, to Jelke and Louwina (Balkema) Huttinga, the tail end of seven siblings. He was raised south of Gallatin Gateway with the Gallatin National Forest as his backyard and playground. He graduated from Manhattan Christian High School and Helena Vo-Tech with a certificate in welding and machining.
Dave was somewhat shy, a man of few words, and appeared to be gruff, but he had a heart of gold and was an all-around good guy. Although he was the strong, silent type, he managed to attract the attention of Cori Egan when she was out celebrating a friend’s birthday in 1984.
Dave married Cordelia “Cori” Egan on April 12, 1986. They lived in Four Corners for several years before moving to Amsterdam in 1991. They have two sons: Jeremy David, who arrived on Thanksgiving Day 1992, and Zane Nicholas, who was born on the first day of spring 1995.
Dave worked for many years as a logger, falling timber and operating a skidder. He then went to work for Huttinga Contracting where he was the gravel pit manager. For the past 10 years, he was a mechanic for the Belgrade School District, maintaining their fleet of busses.
Dave enjoyed riding his motorcycle on the trails up Little Bear and around Pipestone and Radersburg. He loved to tinker in his shop, working on his dirt bikes or constructing something from scrap metal. He furnished our home with beautifully crafted items, including a custom designed coffee table made from a recycled granite counter top and army cot springs.
He was a history buff and especially liked World War II documentaries, and he followed Formula 1 auto racing and motocross. He and Cori spent time traveling around Montana, staying in historic hotels, and visiting small town museums. To him, there was nothing better than a good steak, Coca-Cola, KGLT radio, and family potlucks.
Dave is survived by his wife, Cori; sons, Jeremy of Amsterdam, MT, and Zane of Minneapolis; brothers, Dick (Kathy) of Gallatin Gateway and Jim (Willeen) of Winnemucca, NV; sisters, Linda (Arnie) DeBoer of Everson, WA, Norma (Dick) Marx of Belgrade, and Janice (Larry) Durfee of Fairbanks, AK; a multitude of Egan relatives; and a boatload of nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by both parents; sister, Bert Karp; and brother-in-law, Jack Karp.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, November 10 at 1:00 p.m. at Hills Cemetery, followed by a memorial and luncheon at the River Rock Community Center at 2:00 p.m.
Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com
