David Lee Safstrom, 70, passed away peacefully at home on November 25, 2025, with his loving wife by his side.

Born in East Gary, Indiana, Dave lived a life grounded in service, principle, and quiet strength. As a young man he was an altar boy, a football player, and an Eagle Scout. He later served proudly in the United States Army, where he developed the discipline and resilience that shaped his life.

After his service, Dave earned a Master's Degree from Purdue University and became a High School English Teacher, influencing countless students through the subjects he taught and the teams he coached, including Speech and Debate, Theater, Football, and his daughters' softball teams. His leadership led him to serve as the district's School Safety Specialist, pioneering intruder lockdown drills across 24 schools in Indiana. He also served as Vice President of the Teachers' Union and worked as an active Deputy Sheriff until retiring in 2021.

Dave is survived by his wife, Elisa D. (Cookshott) Safstrom. He is also survived by his children: Ashley (Frank) Monteleone of Jacksonville, FL; Emily Safstrom of Jacksonville FL; Arthur Safstrom of Portage, IN; Trey (Sarah) Safstrom of Ruthon, MN; David (Kate) Safstrom of Corydon, IN; Heather Crowe (Craig) of Charleston, SC; and Dusty Liston of Winona, MN.

He was a proud grandfather to Zoey, Piper, Liberty (Luke), Lauryn, Rylie, Taylor, and Hunter, and a loving great-grandfather to Paxtyn, Huxley, Kolter, and Emersyn.

He is further survived by his stepsons Dennis, Jacob, Christian, and Andrew Dahn, and his brothers Richard and Frank "Jason".

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Robert Safstrom and Rosemary Jane (Hatch); his sisters Carolyn, Mary Jane, and Rosemary; his brother Chet; and by Sheila "Ann" Versteeg and Rhonda Safstrom, mothers of his children and meaningful parts of his family's story.

Dave retired to The Villages, Florida, where he and his wife enjoyed golfing, ceramics, dancing, cruises, Disney World, and time with family. He touched many lives with his willingness to show up for others, in his own way. Dave fought bravely until he peacefully met his rest.

A private note, that Dave wrote before his death, asked that his brothers know how much he cherished them. Dave was raised in a family of 8 children. Two of Dave's brothers survive him, a big brother and a little brother. Dave loved being a kid and Dave loves his family.

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