David Weingart Sr., 85

David Ray Weingart, July 4th, 1940 ~ Dec. 10th, 2025

North Idaho Logger ~ Buffalo Whisperer

David was born in St Ignatius, Mont., July 4, 1940, to Henry and Minnie Weingart. He was born and raised in Montana with his nine brothers and six sisters. He went to grade school in St. Ignatius, Mont., and graduated from High School in Hot Springs, Mont., in 1958. 

He met Lennadell Burland while attending High School, who would soon become his wife. Excited to start their lives together, they drove to the Hitching Post in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where the two were married. After marriage, he took a logging job in Libby, Mont., working for Shorty Landon. Shorty was not only an employer, but the families also became close friends. During this time in Libby, they had their first two children, David Jr. and Debra.

Logging became David’s passion; over time, he started working for Roth Brothers Logging while living in Libby. This would eventually bring him to move his family to the Silver Valley, in Idaho, which would become their permanent home, where they would have their 3rd child, Tami. It was during this time that David started “Weingart Logging,” which he would successfully operate until his retirement in 2008.

After retirement, though he would always be a logger at heart, his focus shifted from logging to ranching. He raised horses, cattle, and a few obnoxious roosters and chickens. Over time, he decided to try his hand at raising buffalo. David was never afraid to take on a new adventure, and buffalo would become his passion, earning him the nickname “Buffalo Dave” amongst his close friends. As much as he loved logging and his animals, it paled in comparison to his love for his family, especially his children and grandchildren, his friends, and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. These were the things that mattered the most to him, and those are the things that he would want to be remembered for.  

After the passing of his wife, Lennadell, in 1997, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He was a member of Real-Life Ministries, Silver Valley. He regularly attended church and was also a part of two Bible Study Groups, one in Coeur d’Alene and one in Rose Lake, for years, where he developed many close friendships. He had a compassion for helping people and was always available when there was a need, for family, a church member, a friend, or a complete stranger.   

He is preceded in death by his father, Henry; his mother, Minnie Weingart; his wife, Lennadell Weingart; his brothers, Ralph, Johnnie, and Henry Jr.; and his sisters, Ida, Lena, and Margie. His grandsons: Todd Sverdsten and Mitchell Weingart. 

He is survived by his son, David Jr. & Janet Weingart. Daughters, Debra Fisher and Tami O’Neill. His brothers: Easton, Bob, Donnie and Tommy Weingart. Sisters: MaryAnn Tupper, Millie Monroe, Lois Weingart. Grandchildren: Christopher & (Kristina) Sverdsten, Adam, Pamela Moser and Timothy Weingart, Nicholas & (Stephanie) Weingart. Melissa Sawyer and Cheyenne O’Neil. Great-grandchildren: Olivia Moser, Eric and Ella Weingart, Cody, Todd and Chris Sverdsten, Krimzen and Rykker Clark, Mavis Ovnicek.

The Celebration of Life will be held at Real Life Ministries, 708 North Division, Pinehurst, ID 83850 on Saturday, Jan. 10th, at 11 a.m.  

David’s ashes will be buried next to his childhood sweetheart and wife, Lennadell, at Lake County Cemetery, Foothills Dr., Ronan, Mont. (Date to be determined).

Arrangements are provided by Yates Funeral Home; the online registry and condolences are available at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.