David Ralph Masterjohn, 67, known as Dave to many, son of the late Nick and Fran Masterjohn, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's in Duluth, Minnesota.

David was born December 15, 1953, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. He graduated from Spooner High School and attended UW-Stout. He spent many years with his family operating Nick's Restaurant until the sale in 1979. He operated Masterjohn Vending for a few years before becoming a Realtor, eventually starting Masterjohn Realty on the property of his grandparents located across the street from Nick's Restaurant. Later, he became a Certified Appraiser, operating Masterjohn Appraisals where he continued to work until his passing.

David was a member of the Spooner Chamber of Commerce, a past member of the Spooner Fire Department, served as the Vice President on Board of the Spooner Railroad Memories Museum, and served on the Washburn County Board of Supervisors representing Beaver Brook Township. He received the Board Service Award for the North West Realtor's Association and was President of the MLS Society Board of Directors for many years. He always helped at the Spooner Rodeo every summer and was active in the Republican Party. David was also on the Board of Directors of the Spooner Development Association.

He was proud of his Italian heritage and loved to cook. He traveled to Italy a few years ago with family members to visit Conflenti, Italy, where his grandparents were born. They immigrated to Spooner to establish their home here. He enjoyed many trips to the Caribbean to relax and enjoy the sun. He loved model railroading and hoped to one day finish his train layout from his collection of numerous engines and cars. His grandfather and uncle both worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad here in Spooner.

He was the proud father of Jody, Florida; Ryan (Jenny), Spooner; Nicholas (Rose), Saudi Arabia; Michael, Spooner; and Cristina (Chance), Spooner. Proud "Papa" of grandchildren Cole, Carter, and Chase. David always loved his canine houseguests, Kodi and Skylar, and was saddened to lose "Daisy”, “Gizmo", "Bear", " Captain" and "Sam" over the years.

He is survived by sisters, Karen (Chuck) Hale, Menomonee Falls, WI; Jan Masterjohn, Spooner; Kathy (Paul) Strapon, Sumter, SC; and Kim (Jim) Wald, Cable, WI. Also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

David was preceded in death by parents, Nick and Fran Masterjohn; maternal grandparents, Julius and Frieda Glau; and paternal grandparents, Ralph and Georgia Masterjohn.

David was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Spooner. Visitation will be held 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021, at the Spooner Funeral Home, 306 Rusk Street, Spooner. A private family Mass will be held at a later time. Private family burial will take place in the Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: St. Francis de Sales School, 300 Oak Street, Spooner, WI; Spooner Railroad Memories Museum, PO Box 717, Spooner, WI; or the Washburn County Area Humane Society, PO Box 328, Spooner, WI.

Last Update: Mar 02, 2021 6:22 am CST