David L. Culver
A funeral service for David L. Culver will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Orleans Presbyterian Church in Orleans, Nebraska with Pastor Dave Irwin officiating. Interment will follow at the Stamford Cemetery in Stamford, Nebraska with Pastor Thalia Woodworth officiating.
David Louis Culver, 67 years of age, of rural Orleans, passed away on May 11, 2025, at his home. David was born in Alma, Nebraska on May 14, 1957, the youngest of two boys, to Marion and Helen (Smith) Culver. David was raised on the family farm, where he learned how to be a good steward of the land. He received his primary education from the Carter rural school near Orleans and later graduated from Orleans High School with the class of 1975. He pursued higher education and received an Associate’s Degree from Central Community College in Hastings. Following his education, David worked with Gayle Tams in construction and also on the family farm alongside his father and brother.
On July 28, 1990, David was united in marriage to Angela Bergstraesser at the Evangelical Free Church in Stamford, and to this union two children were born: Emily and Sarah. The couple made their home in rural Harlan County, eventually moving onto the family farm, where they enjoyed 34 years of marriage. While they enjoyed traveling together, it was their front porch that David enjoyed the most, sharing sunrises with Angie and being called “Papa” by his grandkids.
Dave was a talented artist who enjoyed a variety of hobbies, mastering many of them with a four-legged friend by his side. He was a painter, a woodworker, a weaver, a photographer, a gardener, and most widely known as a musician. From a young age he played; first the accordion, then the piano and organ. God blessed Dave with a gift of music, which he shared through acts of service. He built many friendships playing for funerals, weddings, and special occasions. Additionally, he tuned, repaired, and rebuilt pianos all his adult life and enjoyed giving piano lessons to all ages.
Faith and service to God were an important part of Dave’s life. He served in many capacities in the churches the family attended, in addition to playing for Sunday services. Dave felt honored to play for many area churches, organizations, and events, never taking on an assignment without prayer and preparation. Through a life of quiet obedience, his music was his loudest testimony of faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, Lyle Bergstraesser and two infant grandchildren.
David is survived by his wife, Angela of Orleans. Children: Emily and her husband, Richard McDonald of Orleans, Sarah and her husband, Brian Miller of Selden, Kansas, grandchildren: Ben and Marlana, Wyatt and Marshall. Brother Robert, and wife Linda of Orleans, mother-in-law Dorothy Bergstraesser of Orleans. Sisters-in-law: Karla Hall, Ellen (Perry) Hall, and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Orleans Presbyterian Church in Orleans.
A memorial has been established in David’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at HYPERLINK “http://www.nelsonbauerfh. com” www.
nelsonbauerfh.com The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.
