David Allen Ackley

David Allen Ackley, 78 years old, was born on June 18, 1947, in Valley City, North Dakota. He passed away May 22, 2026, in Miles City, Montana. David was born to Columbus and Dorothy (Schultz) Ackley. He grew up in Luverne, North Dakota and graduated from Luverne High School in 1965. He attended Wahpeton State School of Science from 1968 to 1969, completing the automotive mechanics program. During this time, he also joined the National Guard. In November 1970, David married Mari Jo (Schneider) Sigl. To this union a sweet baby girl, Holly Jo, was born on September 19th, 1974. They lived in West Fargo, North Dakota, where he worked for a car dealership and later Steiger tractor company. In 1978, David was transferred to Dickinson, North Dakota, where he continued to work as a service representative for Steiger Tractor. His territory mostly covered much of eastern North Dakota and western Montana. He also lived and worked in Texas for a time, in which Holly visited him, and they took in the sites around Texas. David then went to work for West Plains Implement and moved to Circle, Montana in 1995. While in Circle he met Elizabeth Idland. They then moved to Miles City, Montana, where he worked for Frare Trucking and later, Steve Nelson trucking out of Billings, Montana. David then decided to be somewhat semi-retired, and went to work for Notbaum Motors in Miles City, Montana. He continued to work for them up until he passed away. Dave’s passion was all about driving. It didn’t matter how many wheels he had under him; he was proud of all the miles he had put on and wanted to share that with you! Sometimes it was hard to keep track of where he had been or where he was going because it was always a different route! Dave also loved his pickups (Chevys, of course). He always kept his vehicles meticulously clean, inside and out. He even went as far as not liking to have food in his pickup because he didn’t want the smell in there. Dave liked having a few fur-babies waiting for him at home. He would take them for a car ride, in Liz’s vehicle of course, on Sunday mornings. It was their quiet time together. David is survived by his daughter, Holly Jo (Scott) Wolbaum and their daughter, Brenna Jo Wolbaum (fiancé Bohdan Shevchenko) of Dickinson, North Dakota, Holly’s sister Angela (Michael) Janson and their children, Patrick and Elise, David’s sister Carol (David) Jacobson of West Fargo, North Dakota and brother Dennis Ackley of Chandler, Arizona, Nephew Kelly (Kim) Jacobson and his niece Kristi (Randy) Olinger. Dave is also survived by his bonus family, Elizabeth Idland of Miles City, Montana and her children,, Erick Idland (Darby) and their children, Autumn, Arley, and Cyrus; Sadie Idland and her daughter, Rayne (Chris Sickler) and their daughter Suttyn Elizabeth; and Jake Idland. He is preceded in death by his parents, Columbus and Dorothy Ackley, his sister Phyllis and brother-in-law, Rod Larson, and sister-in-law Sue Ackley. Dad, your time with us ended way too soon and suddenly! I think of all the endless miles that you’re driving in heaven! Love you always, Holly Jo Graveside Services will be at Hillside Cemetery in Valley City, North Dakota on July 11th, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time. Following the graveside services, a luncheon will be held at the Eagles in Valley City, North Dakota.

David Allen Ackley

June 18, 1947 - May 22, 2026