David W. Nolan

David Warner Nolan, 90, of Woodbury, MN died on January 8, 2026. He was born in Davenport, Iowa on December 10, 1935, to Roger and Lulu Nolan. He shared a close relationship with his three brothers and his sister, and he maintained lifelong ties with a few of his childhood friends.  

David enlisted in the US Navy following high school.  He often shared stories of his time in Hawaii and his service on a salvage and rescue ship near Japan and the Korean Peninsula. After completing his service in 1957, he attended and graduated from St. Ambrose College. 

He married Eleanor Roberta “Birdie” Elliott on January 30, 1960, and they had four children. David worked as an Audit Manager in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. His job allowed him to find a myriad of state and county roads throughout the upper Midwest, often finding local fire towers to climb. He always preferred these “back road shortcuts” to interstate highways. After 43 years of marriage, his beloved Birdie passed away, and he retired to the St. Paul area. 

He treasured his family, and his role as a husband, father, and grandfather. He loved outdoor activities, especially camping, hunting, golfing and fishing, where he often spent more time patiently baiting hooks for his family than catching fish. He loved his dogs and enjoyed hunting and walking with them. David also shared his love for all types of sports with his family. He coached Little League baseball, hockey, and he played in a Church basketball league into his 70s.  David was active in the Catholic Church, serving for many years as an usher.  

David is survived by his children: David Nolan (Judie), Michael Nolan (Jane), Mary Jubenville (John), and Catherine Nolan-Ferrell (Robert), nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, his sister Mary, and his brother Tom. He was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta, and his brothers Roger and John.  

On January 15, 2026, the family will hold a visitation at 8:30 a.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Woodbury, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00am.  David will be buried with military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. 

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