David N. Weiland, 93, of Appleton, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Touchmark Senior Living. He was born April 18, 1933, in Appleton, a son of John and Mary (DeBruin) Weiland, and grew up on the family farm on the edge of Appleton, one of eleven children, with seven brothers and three sisters. In 1949, when his parents moved to Arizona, young David chose to stay in Appleton — renting a room, working nights, and going to school by day until he graduated from Appleton High School with the class of 1951. That work ethic would define his life.

David’s was a true Wisconsin boyhood. As a youngster he would occasionally hitchhike the thirty miles to Green Bay on game days, back when the Packers let kids watch from the end zone for free — and on one of those rides, the driver who pulled over for him was none other than Russ Winnie, the legendary radio voice of the Packers, carrying him to the stadium in style.

On August 8, 1953, David married Charlotte Ann Wichmann in Appleton, and that same year he joined the family business, Wichmann Furniture Co., the landmark Appleton furnishings house founded by Louis C. Wichmann. Charlotte’s father, Earl Wichmann, knew David’s work ethic and was the first to recognize his acute business acumen: though David held no college degree, Earl had the confidence to entrust him — at just 26 years old — with the leadership of a large and successful company, electing him president upon his own retirement in 1959. David credited that trust for his success all his life. He guided the Wichmann companies for more than three decades, ultimately serving as chief executive officer of Wichmann Furniture Co. and president of the Wichmann-Johnson Corp., whose enterprises grew to include the Wichmann Funeral Home and Crematory. Newspapers of the day counted him among the Fox Valley’s business leaders “of long business experience and varied community activities.”

He gave generously of that experience to his community: as a director of the Outagamie County Bank, a director of the Wichmann Foundation, and president of the board of Villa Phoenix. His devotion to the Villa reached well beyond the boardroom — David hired many men from Villa Phoenix who were recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, giving them jobs to help them get back on their feet. Elected to the board of The First National Bank of Neenah in 1973, he remained with the bank through its years as Associated Bank of Neenah, serving as a vice president and a member of its board of directors.

On February 22, 1980, David married Carol A. Gisvold in Appleton, beginning a love story of 46 years. David and Carol savored every moment of their life together — at their homes in Appleton, wintering at their condo in Stuart, Florida, and through many seasons of quiet bliss at their cottage home on Legend Lake in Keshena. More often than not, the two would break into harmonious song, at a piano bar or by the fire; “You Light Up My Life” was ‘their’ song, for ‘their’ love story.

David is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Barbara (Richard) Agness of Appleton, Michael Weiland of Southern Florida, and Patti Jo Weiland of Colorado; 3 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; his stepchildren, Laurie (Stephen) Leavitt, Lawrence Lehman, David (Barbara) Lehman, Thomas (Amy) Lehman, and Peter (Marie) Lehman, along with Carol’s 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, to whom he was always “Grandpa Dave”; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary (DeBruin) Weiland; seven brothers and six sisters-in-law, Gene (Doris), Lester (Mary), Harold (Gerry), John (Gloria), Cliff (Shirley), Tom, and Bill (Liz) Weiland; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Mary (Bob) Bradley, Helen (Gerald) Hauser, and Sister Rosangela “Rose” Weiland of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity; and his stepson, Andrew Lehman.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church (media ministry), 601 E. Glendale Ave., Appleton, WI 54911.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers and hospice for their compassionate care.