Dan was born and raised in the Dassel and Hutchinson area. He graduated from Dassel High School in 1964. Dan served in the United States Army from January 1966 through December 1967. In 1969, he married his wife, Joanne Behl in Morris, Minnesota. They lived on the west side of Lake Jennie, Dassel, Minnesota until 1976, when they moved to Hutchinson. Dan and Joanne have two children, Brian (deceased in 1988) and Angela who lives in the metro area. They have 3 grandchildren, Tyler, Peyton and Brianna. Dan worked at Sterner Lighting Inc. for 33 years. Dan helped to start the support group, Grief Recovery Friends in 1989 and is still an active member. He began working with Hantge Funeral Chapels in 2009. His hobbies include landscape design, gardening and painting. Dan enjoys spending time with his family.