Daniel Erbes

Funeral Services: Will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery. Pastor Tim Hummel will officiate the service. A luncheon will be held at 16 Oaks following the burial. The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials: To the Dan Erbes Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

Daniel Louis Erbes was born on October 13, 1960, in Greenfield, Iowa, to Max and Helen (Peters) Erbes. On Monday, August 18, 2025, at the age of 64, Dan passed away at Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center, Iowa, surrounded by his loving family.

Dan grew up in Adair County and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1979. He went on to earn a degree in Agricultural Business from Southwestern Community College in Creston. Dan dedicated his life to the agriculture industry, a field he was truly passionate about and strongly connected to through his roots. After college, he began his career with Ehrsam Implement before joining the Greenfield Co-op. In 1984, he moved to Beaman, Iowa, where he worked for the Beaman Co-op for 20 years. Over the years, Dan continued to share his knowledge and expertise through roles with several seed companies. Most recently, he served as a Sales Account Manager for Latham Seeds in Alexander, Iowa, where he built strong relationships and earned the respect of co-workers and customers alike.

On March 19, 1988, Dan married Jennifer Kuhl, and together they made their home in Conrad. The couple welcomed two children, Kelsey and Luke, and Dan took great pride in raising his family there.

Dan loved the open road on his Harley Davidson and was a proud member of A.B.A.T.E. He also enjoyed deer hunting with the boys, time spent on the family farm, and annual trips to Lake of the Ozarks with friends. He found great joy in finally seeing his Chiefs having success after many years of disappointment.

In 2021, Dan found unexpected joy when he reconnected with his high school classmate, Melody McFarland. Together, they shared love, laughter, and a deep companionship that brightened both of their lives.

Dan was a proud father and grandfather who instilled in his family the values of hard work, integrity, and an appreciation for great music. He never met a stranger and had a gift for making everyone feel welcome. Dan will be remembered for his quick wit, his laugh, and his ability to bring humor to any situation.

He was preceded in death by his father, Max Erbes in 2004.

He is survived by his mother, Helen Erbes of Greenfield; wife Melody McFarland-Erbes of Union; daughter, Kelsey Patava and husband Joe and their children Dallas and Audra of Ankeny; son, Luke Erbes and wife Kaitlin of Beaman; brothers, Dick Erbes and wife Donna of Greenfield and Jim Erbes and wife Debbie of Urbandale; sister, Sara Garside and husband Clint of Greenfield; step children, Steven McFarland and wife Amber and their children Boden and Baylor of Van Meter and Lance McFarland and wife MaKayla and their children Gracyn and Chase of Fontanelle; as well as many other friends and relatives who will miss him dearly.