David Wayne “Birdie” Bredehoeft, 73, of Emma, MO, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, MO.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma with Pastor Paul Rempfer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Concordia. Memorials are suggested to Concordia Fire District or Holy Cross Lutheran Church, and an online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
David was born in Lexington, MO on October 26th, 1952. He was number 3 of 8 children of the late Eldred Bredehoeft and Mildred Flandermeyer Bredehoeft. He was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia, MO, and confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma, MO on April 3rd, 1966, with the confirmation verse of Revelations 2:10b “Be thou faithful unto the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.”, which his daughter, Lindsay, chose as well. His tremendous amount of faith in our Lord was evident during some of his final moments. That same faith helped him overcome the many struggles throughout his life. We’ve been very blessed and fortunate for his resilience (and stubbornness) that granted him 73 very full years of being in our lives.
David spent his entire life in the Concordia/Emma/Sweet Springs area, besides his 2 year service in the military. David was drafted into the United States Army, and left for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO on his 20th birthday in 1972, honoring his oath to this country. Stationed at Fort Bliss, TX, he earned the rank of Spec 4 on the Improved Hawk Missile Maintenance Squad, and was honorably discharged in October of 1974.
David married Rhonda Duffey on November 15, 1975. They were blessed with a daughter, Lindsay. Rhonda passed away on October 29, 1978. On November 7th, 1987, he married Julia Tyler. David and Julia recently celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with two sons, Tyler and Derek.
David had many different occupations throughout life, all of which he was known for being a hard worker, and had a significant impact on his children. He did farm work, hauling hay, and worked at Nickerson Farms Restaurant during high school. His employers later in life included the Camper Factory, Emma CO-OP Elevator, Saline Vault Co., Milbank Mfg., and Ampro Products.
You will remember Birdie from his love of NASCAR, the Chiefs, playing cards, and enjoying a cigarette every once in a while. He never met a stranger, and could tell a heck of a story (which you may have heard more than a few times). He passed down his interests of hunting and shooting, racing/cars/mechanics, memorabilia collecting, carpentry, music, sense of humor, and much more to his children and grandchildren.
David is survived by his wife, Julia Tyler Bredehoeft of the home; children: Lindsay Krause (Chad) of Stover, MO, Tyler Bredehoeft (Stephanie) of Emma, MO, Derek Bredehoeft of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Calleine Dobnikar (Josh) of Independence, MO; grandchildren: Danielle Wilson (Kyle), Jacob Krause (Chrisna), Tynlee Bredehoeft, Brooks Bredehoeft, and Noa Dobnikar; and great grandchildren: Brody Wilson, Isaac Wilson, Levi Wilson, and Jaxon Krause. He is also survived by all of his siblings: Dennis Bredehoeft of Kansas City, MO, Peggy Schnakenberg of Higginsville, MO, Darrell Bredehoeft (Marianne) of Star, ID, Russell Bredehoeft (Janis) of Concordia, MO, Gary Bredehoeft (Jennifer) of Concordia, MO, Susan Petersen (Joel) of Kansas City, MO, Mark Bredehoeft (Sabine) of Grandview, MO, and many nieces and nephews.
David was preceded in death by his parents Eldred and Mildred; his wife Rhonda; brother-in-law, Maurice Schnakenberg; and sisters-in-law, Brenda Bredehoeft, and Kathy Bredehoeft.
Lastly, in remembrance of Birdie, we wish that you will think about him every time you hear his favorite song, appropriately titled, “Freebird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd on the radio.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
