DEFOREST - David “Smiley” Dean Ihland, age 87, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the family farm following an illness. David was born at home on October 9, 1937, to Ove and Stella (Stiemke) Ihland in the Township of Windsor, Wis. He graduated from DeForest High School in 1955 and married Diane Quamme on November 12, 1960, at Spring Prairie Lutheran Church in Keyeser, where they remained life-long members.

After graduation, Smiley served in the U.S. Army for three years. Upon returning home, he completed an apprenticeship in the ceramic tile setting trade and worked in that profession for 44 years. He was a volunteer on the DeForest Windsor Fire & EMS for 20 years. Smiley enjoyed softball, hunting, fishing, traveling, dancing, going out to eat, and spending time with family and friends.

Smiley is survived by his wife of 64 years, Diane; daughters, Laurel (Douglas) Tjugum and Nancy (Daniel) Benisch; grandchildren, Stephanie (Robert) Laidlow, Danielle Ihland (Jose Cacauha), Melanie Benisch, Michael “Scooby” Ihland (Sheena) and Connor Tjugum; great-grandchildren, Giovanni, Leonardo and Alanzo Cacauha, Stella Ihland, and Eli and Abby Laidlow; sisters, Shirley Bostad, RuthAnn (Jerry) Dobbs and Gwen Peirce; sister-in-law, Barb Quamme; and many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Dean Ihland; daughter-in-law, Terri Ihland; parents, Ove and Stella Ihland; in-laws, Russell and Dorothy Quamme; brother, Wayne Ihland; brothers-in-law, Mickey Bostad, Jim Peirce, Russell Quamme, Roger Quamme and Lyle Quamme; sisters-in-law, Audrey Ihland and Gary Quamme; and infant, Beverly Quamme.

A funeral service will be held at SPRING PRAIRIE LUTHERAN CHURCH, N509 County Road C, DeForest, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, with Pastor Rick Bursh presiding. Burial will take place at Spring Prairie Lutheran Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow at the church. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.

Memorials may be made to Spring Prairie Lutheran Church or DeForest Windsor Fire & EMS. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

David "Smiley" Dean Ihland

October 09, 1937 - July 22, 2025

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