Dan L. Engel

Dan L. Engel

May 6, 1942 - Dec. 6, 2023

Dan L. Engel was born May 6, 1942 to Larry and Zita Engel in Westphalia, Iowa where he grew upon a dairy farm. He married Janet Miratsky on October 5, 1963 at St. Anthony's Church in Bruno, Nebraska. They lived in Iowa where all four of their children were born before they made the move to Nebraska in 1972 to a small farm east of Appleton. Dan continued farming and milking cows until the farm crisis hit, then he added jobs at Henningsens Foods and the Frontier Coop driving truck. He eventually sold the dairy cows and started selling seed corn for O'sgold and ending with Golden Harvest. His joy was visiting seed customers and making new friends.

Dan was an Assumption Appleton parishioner the entire time he lived in Nebraska. His faith was very important. He believed in a Catholic education for his children and was an avid supporter of Aquinas School system. All four of his children attended Aquinas High school at the same time, Freshman through Senior!Dan was a Knight of Columbus almost his entire life, joining as a teen in 1959 and serving as aGrand Knight as an adult. He joined the 4th Degree of the Knights in 1977 serving in several officer roles. He began the Knights of Columbus Choir in 1997 and enjoyed singing as a group for many activities.

Dan's hobbies included dancing, especially polka, watching Mollie B and Gunsmoke on TV, playing cards (500), and working on his Log Art. Many homes in the Butler/Saunders County areas display one of his works of art.

As grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along, he enjoyed attending all their sports and activities. Not one person Dan met got away without some type of conversation. He enjoyed visiting with everyone.

Dan is survived by his children: Dan J. (Kathy) Engel, David (Annmarie) Engel, Denise (Steve)Williams, Deb (Rod) King; sisters: Karen Mathis, Sr. Theresa Engel, Allita (Craig) Doster; special friend, Mary Kloewer; 13 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and too many friends to list here.

Preceded in death by wife, Janet Engel; parents: Larry and Zita Engel; parent-in-laws: James and Estella Miratsky; sister-in-law, Pam Miratsky and brother-in-law, Mike Mathis.

Arrangements by Chermok Funeral Home of David City.

On-line tributes: www.chermokfuneralhome.com

A Memorial Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, December 12 at St. Mary's Church, David Citywith Fr. Brian Connor as celebrant. Burial of ashes was in St. Mary Cemetery, David City.

Memorials may be given: Appleton Assumption Church, Aquinas Catholic Schools or Bishop Newmann Catholic Schools.