David John Renner, affectionately known as "The Father of Fun," passed away unexpectedly with his family by his side at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck on July 23, 2026, after a courageous 72-hour illness. He was 73 years old.

A Mass of Christian Burial will start at 10:30 a.m., on Friday July 31, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, 801 1st St SE, Mandan.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., on Thursday July 30, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave, Bismarck. A vigil service will begin at 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to Mass. 

For those fortunate enough to know Dave, they knew he embraced life with an open heart, a deep curiosity, and a free spirit. Chances are he left you with a story or two. Through his lifetime, he upheld an unwavering dedication to his friends and family, an admirable work ethic, and a steady commitment to celebrating all of life's many joys and wonders.

Dave was born on November 6, 1952, at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois, to Theodore and Marie Renner. He spent much of his childhood in Mandan, North Dakota, as the oldest of eight siblings, though he was not one to stay in one place for too long. After a few nomadic years, he attended college in South Dakota before earning degrees in Sociology and Art from the University of North Dakota. It was in Fargo, North Dakota, that he met his wife, Jill, who would be his companion for the remainder of his days.

Dave was never known to be idle and he possessed an extraordinary work ethic. He never shied away from a seemingly impossible task and was quick to lend a helping hand to just about anyone at any time. While he was a man of many trades, he was most known as an entrepreneur. He managed Northern League and later Collector's Universe, successful collectible, trading card, and comic book businesses that were a presence in Bismarck from 1986 into the mid-2010s. His shop wasn't just a business, but a gathering place. People came to buy something and stayed for hours, and if you walked through the door, you'd likely hear him say, "Hey! What's up, brother? How are you?" In his later years, aside from being a trusted do-it-all handyman, he was a beloved school bus driver for Harlows in Mandan.

Dave's innate curiosity and love of learning shaped nearly everything he did. He read mountains of books and developed a deep knowledge of history, arts, and culture. His taste in music was as eclectic as everything else about him, ranging from heavy metal to zydeco, blues to bluegrass, and he attended live concerts, often in the front row, until his very last days. Dave was most at home in the outdoors, preferably at a campsite along the Missouri River. He loved camping, fishing, and spinning stories beside a campfire. He somehow seemed to know when it was going to rain before the forecast did, and though he rarely wore a watch, he almost always knew the exact time.

He also loved to travel. He explored the world through cruise ship vacations and made many pilgrimages to New Orleans, one of his favorite cities. At home, as the designated family chef, he expressed that same curiosity through food, always trying new recipes and cuisine from across the globe. In everything ranging from food to experiences, one of his mantras was “if it’s new, I’ll try it.”

Above all else, Dave loved his friends and family and fostered a profound dedication and loyalty to the people around him. His easygoing nature, sense of humor, and fun-loving spirit attracted people wherever he went. Family came first for Dave, and he seized every opportunity to celebrate and make memories together, turning holidays, birthdays, and ordinary days alike into reasons to gather.

He was incredibly proud of his three children, for whom he created a trove of memorable experiences: grand road trips spanning the country, unusual gifts like dart guns and nunchucks, spontaneous adventures such as sneaking onto the Fort Lincoln block houses for stargazing, lessons in math and customer service from running the cash register at the shops, and endless encouragement to stay curious. Although he often joked, “Do as I say, not as I do,” his greatest lessons actually came from the life he lived,

One of his most cherished roles was that of grandfather, of which he was a natural. With his own sense of childhood curiosity and wonder fully intact, it was not uncommon to find Dave eagerly playing in the dirt, building Lego structures, riding roller coasters, or leading a campsite field trip with his grandchildren. After all, in all the best ways, Dave remained the wide-eyed child who never really grew up.

For over 24 years, Dave was also a devoted member of the recovery community through Alcoholics Anonymous. His Monday night meetings became another place where people gathered around him, not because he claimed to have all the answers, but because he believed people deserved hope, honesty, and a second chance.

Dave danced through life with an admirable authenticity, remaining true to his beautiful, wild, and uncompromising nature. In the language of collectibles, Dave Renner was a "one of one," the rarest of the rare, and there will never be another like him.

David is survived by his wife, Jill (Krhin) Renner; his children, Mike (Bre Fite), Grace (Alex Redmann), and Hank (Miranda Fichter); his grandchildren, Bryndle, Amelia, Hayes, and Riley; and many beloved relatives and friends whose lives are richer because they knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Marie Renner, and his nephew, Victor Mercado.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Great Plains Food Bank.