David John Liimakka, 89, of Ironwood Township, died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Aspirus Grand View Hospital, after a short illness.      He was born  Aug. 30, 1923, in Ironwood Township, son of the late Matt and Hilma (Hautanen) Liimakka, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1941.      He was a Grade A dairy farmer for 40 years on the original Liimakka homestead in Ironwood Township, and was the recipient of six awards for top small herd in Upper Michigan milk production. He also exhibited dairy animals at the Gogebic County Fair beginning in 1949 and the U.P. State Fair.      Dave was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood. He was former president of the local Michigan Mik Producers Association, former chairman of the Gogebic County Road Commission, and former chair and member of numerous councils within the county. He was an avid downhill skier who enjoyed the sport into his 80's, walker and golfer, and played baseball on the North Ironwood team.      He was married to Ruth Ann Bentilla on Nov. 16, 1946. She survives.      Also surviving are two children, Laura (David) Leak, Hastings, Minn., and Louise (Jim) Martell, Spooner, Wis.; grandchildren, Melissa (Ryan) Schmisek, Fairfax, Va., Andrea (Eric) Overgaard, Burnsville, Minn., Joe (Hannah) Martell, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jeff Martell, Owatonna, Minn.; great-grandchildren, Lily Schmisek, Fairfax, Kaelyn and Maryn Overgaard, Burnsville, and Karsten and Sam Martell, Cincinnati; a sister-in-law, Si Liimakka, Ithaca, Mich.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.      Besides his parents, Dave was preceded in death by a sister, Saima Leppanen; and brothers, Arnold and Wilbert.      Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 100 W. Midland Ave., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Kurt Kovanen, pastor, officiating.      Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.      Committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, in the spring.      Pallbearers will be sons-in-law, Jim Martell and David Leak, grandsons, Joe and Jeff Martell, and cousins, Sonny and Bob Fredrickson.      Memorial gifts can be given to Zion Lutheran Church or the Gogebic County Fair Board.      Condolences may be given to Dave's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Inc., Ironwood.