Dave graduated high school in 1985 and immediately enlisted in the United States Army. Dave was honorably discharged in 1989 and continued with United States Army Reserve until 1992. Dave met his wife Amanda while living in Kearney Nebraska and they were married on March 12, 1999. Together they raised their sons Devin and Dawson. Dave was employed with Nebraska Public Power District for the past 17 years. Dave wasn’t one for long conversations unless it involved hunting, fishing or football but his family and friends knew that he would always lend an ear when someone needed to talk and would offer the best advice, usually in a sentence or less. Dave was a simple man and didn’t like to stand out in a crowd but being 6 foot 6 inches and 260 pounds it was kind of hard for him not to. Because of this he was known as a gentle giant and never knew a stranger. Dave was loyal to a fault when it came to what was important to him. He was a hard worker, a good friend, a loving brother and devoted husband but his greatest attribute was being an amazing father to his two sons. Dave was passionate about hunting and fishing and would often spend his free time with his boys or buddies on the water, in the deer stand or the hunting blind. Dave had an uncanny ability to find the perfect nickname for people within minutes of meeting them and often those nicknames lasted a lifetime. He was also the receiver of nicknames and was known to his family and friends as Big Foot, Davey Flave and Old Man. While he was taken from us all too soon, those of us left to mourn are better people because this extraordinary man touched our lives.
Dave was preceded in death by his stepfather Larry Kohles, mother Carol Kohles, grandfather Hubert Romans, and brothers Eric and Dave Kohles.
Dave is survived by his wife, Amanda VanAsperen, sons Devin VanAsperen (Mollie Deaver), Dawson VanAsperen, brothers Steve and (Jayne) VanAsperen, Samuel VanAsperen, DJ VanAsperen, sisters Ami (Mark) Backencamp, Dorinda (Marty) Trauernicht, father Donald VanAsperen mother and father in-law Ken and Sue Skiles, sister in-law Heather (Neil) Chatterjee, brother in-law Travis (Kristen) Skiles and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and close friends.
Visitation will be Monday January 13th from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Roper and Sons Funeral Home South Lincoln Chapel located at 3950 Hohensee Drive Lincoln, NE.
Funeral Services will be Tuesday January 14th at 10:00am at Roper and Sons Funeral Home South Lincoln Chapel with Pastor Kerry O’Bryant officiating.
Graveside Service to follow with a luncheon at Central Light and Recreation of Sprague-Martell.