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Feb. 18, 1946-July 25, 2026
Bottineau
Timothy Michael Davis passed away on July 25th, 2026, at St. Andrew's Hospital in Bottineau ND, at the age of 80. A Celebration of Life for Timothy Michael Davis will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, August 20th, 2026, at Lake Metigoshe Christian Center.
Tim was born on February 18th, 1946, in Devils Lake, ND to John and Edith Davis. He was one of 8 siblings. Tim attended Devils Lake High School and began his college education in Devils Lake before moving to Minot to finish his teaching degree.
Tim moved to Bottineau, ND in 1968 and began his teaching career at Bottineau High School.
During this time, Tim started his involvement in community theater in Bottineau and at the Sawmill Playhouse at Lake Metigoshe, an involvement and passion that would last over 50 years, from actor to lead cast director, to being the namesake of the Davis Playhouse. It was in community theater that Tim met Lana. They were married in 1987.
Tim's teaching career also spanned 5 decades. First at Bottineau High School where he taught Speech, Drama, Fiction and German and finishing with classes at Dakota College at Bottineau.
Never one to stay still, even after teaching, Tim spent his retirement years in numerous community volunteer activities including gardening and planting, helping with braille books, food pantry, and being involved in the Bottineau County Museum.
Tim will be remembered by his family and friends for his love of gardening and horticulture, finishing crossword puzzles (never peeking at the answers), spoiling the family dogs, and a fierce defense of proper grammar.
Tim loved a good book, good conversation, and a witty joke. Tim never met anyone he couldn't pull into his circle, his community, and turn them into friends. Tim especially enjoyed working with his volunteer tribe on numerous local projects as well as spending Friday afternoons with his B.O.B.S group in spirited conversation and debate.
Tim touched the lives of thousands of students that passed through his classrooms, the countless cast and crew members through years of directing theater, plays and musicals, and an entire town that benefited from his time and love of the community of Bottineau.
Tim is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Lana, his stepsons Ryan Arneson and wife Tina, Thornton, CO; Reed Arneson, Thornton, CO; sister Shirley Keating and husband Jerry, Minneapolis, MN; twin brother Tom Davis and wife Remy, Belen, NM; brothers Fr. Jack Davis, Chimbote, Peru; Jim Davis and wife Pam, Mandan, ND; Joe Davis and wife Joan, Devils Lake, ND; Bill Davis and wife Susan, Mandan, ND; sisters-in-law Joan Davis, Albuquerque, NM; Mary Birkeland, North Oaks, MN; Margaret Sullivan, Lakewood, CO; brother-in-law Mark Evanger and wife Barb, Mandan, ND; Greg Miller, Devils Lake, ND; numerous nieces and nephews as well as honorary neighbor grandchildren, Immanuel, Matthias, Gabriel, Eva, and Sophia.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Edith, sister Jean, and brothers-in-law David Birkeland and John Sullivan
To honor Tim's memory, in lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice
Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.
Published by The Minot Daily News, July 30, 2026.