Dan Nystrom, 54, a lifetime resident of Mount Vernon, passed away on Monday, June 7, 2010 in Naknek, Alaska.

He was born on February 6, 1956 to Don Nystrom and Joan Koffel.

Dan graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1974 and married Doreen Whitney in 1978. They recently celebrated 32 wonderful years together.

Dan worked 36 years in the marine towing industry as a tugboat captain, most recently with Harley Marine of Seattle and for many years with Dunlap Towing of LaConner. He was a superior boat handler and worked everywhere from California, Oregon, Washington and extensively throughout Alaska.

For the past 10 years, Dan was a Bristol Bay salmon fisherman during his time off. He loved the challenge as well as the people; the family referred to it as his "big boy summer camp."

Dan is survived by his wife and best friend, Doreen, and their daughters Melissa and Erica of whom he was very proud; mother, Joan Koffel; father, Don (Carol) Nystrom; sisters, Julie (Frank) Swilley, Jean (Al) Sherman and Janice (Daryl) Turner; brothers, Derek Nystrom and Daren (Erin) Nystrom; along with numerous family members and friends who he loved very much.

He was preceded in death by his brother, David Nystrom.

There will be a memorial service held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon located at 1607 E. Division St. Dan loved his life and his family; please bring memories to share.

You may share your memories of Dan, and sign his online guest register at www.kernfuneralhome.com

Local arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Skagit Valley Herald on Jun. 10, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for DAN NYSTROM

22 Entries

Darcy Bell Kelley

June 13, 2010

To the Nystrom Family- I am sorry for your loss. I grew up in close connection with the Nystroms as kids and remember one thing- Everyone was nice and they had a playful spirit and used alot of humor. To his parents whom were wonderful, his wife, and his siblings, while he is resting in peace I am thinking of you during this difficult time. I also remember how unmistakenly close you all were. Darcy Bell from the Bell clan that hung out at your house when we were young.

DENISE RAINS

June 12, 2010

DOREEN, AND FAMILY
i WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR YOUR HUSBAND HAD PASSED AWAY, MICHELLE TOLD ME ON THE PHONE. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.REMEMBER ALL THE HAPPY TIMES YOU HAD WITH HIM, AND ALSO REMEMBER HE IS UP THERE WATCHING OVER YOU AND THE GIRLS.
DENISE RAINS (COLOMBRINO,JOHNSON)
PLEASE CONTACT ME BY EITHER EMAIL OR PHONE @ 859-916-1450, froggydo442YAHOO.COM

Scott and Kristin Manley

June 12, 2010

I have known Dan for about 15 years. I first met him at Dunlap Towing. Dan needed to take a few days off so he could take his family to Disneyland and needed someone to relieve him. Dan always tried to put family before work. I was Dans boss for about 4 years. Dan could be a little difficult at times but he always came through for you in a pinch. He was always a go to guy both at Dunlap and Olympic Tug and Barge. Dan was one of the finest professional mariners and Tugboat Captains that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with. You will be missed professionally, socially, and in all ways. May you always have fair winds and following seas.

Harvey Anderson

June 12, 2010

Doreen
I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Dan through the years. He was a good friend and shipmate. He will be greatly missed.

June 11, 2010

Our thoughts & prayers are with your entire family. Your sweet memories & love for Dan will keep him in your hearts forever.
Brenda & Howard Belisle

Dale, Audrey, Ashley & Nick White

June 11, 2010

Doreen, Melissa & Erica,
We are thinking of you and were sorry to hear of Dan's passing. We are remembering some of the good times we had with your family especially at Blue Lake. One memory is when Dan let Nick drive his boat when he was just a little boy (reminds us of Alan Jackson's song "Drive")and Nick thought he had the word by the tail. Another memory is when he spent countless hours helping Ashley learn to water ski. He never gave up on her and she did finally get up. There were also the BBQ's he helped organize that helped our families reconnect. He would arrive with his own BBQ, put on the seafood and the pary would begin. He is gone but not forgotten.

Gordy Bell

June 11, 2010

I just wanted to extend my sincere condolences to all of the family members. I am saddened by the news.
I will always remember "Little Dan the Cannery Man".

Dr. Lawrence Pirkle

June 11, 2010

Dear Doreen, Melissa and Erica,

In my 40 plus years of dental practice I can say that Dan was definitely one of my favorite patients. He would always have a big smile and a loud "Hello DOC"! I know you will miss him greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with you. We lost one of a kind. The world should have more like Dan.

Matt Hammond

June 10, 2010

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Dan through our mutual work in the towing industry. I was shocked and am saddened by his untimely passing. I was really looking forward to seeing Dan in our travels up and down the West Coast as he always had a smile and was genuinely happy to see you. I will miss him, and I know his fellow crewmembers will miss him. We have lost an excellent shipmate way too soon.

Cousin Lisa Fernie-Dellinger & Family

June 10, 2010

Doreen, Melissa and Erica
Aunt Joan, Julie, Jean and Janice
Uncle Don and family,

Our words just can not express how deeply sorry we are for the loss of our beloved Dan.

Dan was a great husband, father and friend to so many.

I had the great fortune to see and talk with Dan at the Safeway Gas Station a few months back. Dan and I had not seen one another for years. It was so great to have had that moment to catch up, share a hug and some laughs. It was like no time had passed at all. We laughed alot when we had to do a double take when we seen each other. We both were a little older and a few pounds heavier. The one thing that never changed about Dan was that big smile of his. Dan's smile was genuine and could make a bad day better. Dan enriched my life for just being in it as he did for others.

I loved my cousin Danny so much! We will all miss him greatly, but Dan has left us all with so many great memories and stories to reflect upon.

Much love to all of you. I will keep you in my prayers.

Janis Swanson

June 10, 2010

Doreen, you and the girls are in my thoughts, prayers and meditations. When I think of Dan I recall a gentle man with a joyous and generous attitude toward life. I know he was a wonderful husband and father, hold your memories close. I'm so very sorry.
Janis Swanson

Michele & Rich Torrey

June 10, 2010

Dear Doreen, Melissa and Erica,

We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

June 10, 2010

My thoughts and prayers go out to Dan's family. We will miss seeing Dan in our community and miss his many visits to us here at Northland in Naknek.
Jim & Teresa Myers

June 10, 2010

My heart goes out to all of you for your family loss. I have known Danny for many years here in Naknek through my work. He will be deeply missed by our crew here in camp. He loved to come up and hang out and have a home cooked meal and watch T.V. with the guys and visit. He has spoken so much about his family and all I wanted to just let you know he was a wonderful person and I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep all of you in my prayers.

Sheila Pebles Naknek Alaska

John & Maxine Wilson

June 10, 2010

We both are so sorry for your lose. He was certainlly and wonderful person, and I know he will be missed alot.

Art Schouweiler

June 10, 2010

I was fortunate to get to work with Dan a few times at Dunlap Towing, as his engineer.
All the times were great experiences. I called him captain Dan with the accent of Forest Gump as Forest said Lieutenant Dan. That always got a smile and chuckle, not that it was hard to get a smile from Dan.
Most of our conversations were about our families. Dan's daughters and wife were his reason for life.
Though I didn't get to visit with him lately, I do feel a tremendous loss.
Seaya latter Captin Dan.

June 10, 2010

Doreen, Melissa and Erica I will always be thankful that Vanessa, Aaron and Whitney got to know and spend time with their uncle Dan. They love him so much and will miss the water skiing, boat rides and Christmas dinners we shared. When I married Janice he welcomed me into the family and he always made us feel welcome in your home. His kindness, smile and laughter will be a lasting memory for all who knew him. He will be missed but the essence of his soul will always be with us.
Daryl Turner (Troutdale, OR)

gail McCormick

June 10, 2010

doreen,melissa,erica, i was so saddened to hear of dan's passing. I know he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.He was without a doubt one of the best the towing industry has ever had. His knowledge,ability,and personality will be missed forever. Gail

Shelley and Rianne Chase

June 10, 2010

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. We are so sorry to hear about Dan. He was a great guy and will be sorely missed.

Shelley and Rianne Chase

June 10, 2010

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. We are so sorry to hear about Dan. He was a great guy and will be missed.

Janice Larson

June 10, 2010

I am praying for Doreen and her daughters. His character is reflected in the love and devotion of his wife and the children they raised. While I didn't know Dan well, I've known him almost all my life from grade school on. When I think of Dan, I think of a man who worked hard, steadily, and successfully his entire life. He was an admirable guy, and I know how terribly his loss is felt.

Paige Young Berrigan

June 10, 2010

Doreen, I am so sorry for the loss of your best friend, husband and father of your daughters. You are all in my prayers.

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