Daniel W Midura

If you are reading this, I am either walking, running, or (if you can believe it) dancing on the streets of heaven with Jesus.
My life began in the Chicago area when I was born to my parents Wally and Alexa Midura on August 1, 1948. We moved to South Minneapolis in 1953. It was there that I attended church and school, graduating from Minneapolis Washburn High School in 1966. It was also there where I met my lifelong best friend, Greg Peterson.
As I was growing up, I had the opportunity to attend Trout Lake Camp and experience the life-changing message of Jesus, first as a camper, then as a counselor, and eventually in 1970 as a staff member alongside my wife Shirley who I had met there in 1963 as a camper.
After graduating from high school, I attended the University of Minnesota, earning my degree in teaching in 1970. Growing up, I held a diverse variety of jobs that included being a paperboy and being a jail elevator operator. Those jobs enabled me to graduate from college debt free.
In the fall of 1970 I began my teaching career in the Roseville School District, teaching for the majority of my years at E. D. Williams Elementary, with the last eight years at Falcon Heights Elementary. I thoroughly enjoyed my colleagues and students while teaching, but maybe not the staff meetings that included sitting around in a circle.
While teaching, my colleague and friend Don Glover and I wrote five books that centered on team building for youth. We spent several years conducting over 200 workshops and classes. I also served as an adjunct faculty member at Bethel University from 1994-2008 and taught graduate classes for St. Mary's University.
On March 1, 2015, my life changed significantly when I was diagnosed with Splenetic Angiosarcoma. This disease would become part of our family journey for the next ten years. Due to radiation a year ago, in mid-January of 2025 I was diagnosed with a spinal injury that resulted in my loss of mobility.
While in no way minimizing the level of support I have received through the prayer and presence of many dear family and friends, I wish to acknowledge a few who have served as my ever-available hands and feet of Jesus during the final chapter of my story. My wife, Shirley, has gone far beyond her marriage vows to serve me, my son Seth and his wife Jess, my son Luke and his wife Mara, our neighbor Paul Keller, our friend Lee Cornelius, our neighbor at the cabin, Scott Oare, my sister Janet and her husband Paul, and my brother-in-law Jim and his wife Shirley. Thank you.
I also wish to acknowledge Glory Church in Aitkin, MN, for the many special years that we were part of their congregation.
I am leaving behind my beautiful wife of 54 years, Shirley; my sons Luke (Mara) and Seth (Jess); siblings Floyd (Kay) and Janet (Paul) Anderson; brothers and sisters-in-law Gordy (Judi) Cook, Judy (Bob) Merwin, and Jim (Shirley) Cook; and grandchildren Isaiah Daniel, Eliza Juneau, Cameron Alexa and Jacob Charles. I am grateful for them and for my many nephews and nieces and their children, as well as countless other family members and friends.
For my entire life it has been my desire to follow Jesus in all that I do both personally and professionally. I leave you my life verse: "1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your cares upon Him; for He cares for you."
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Dan's life on July 10th, 2025 at Westgate Church in Plymouth, MN at 11am. Visitation at 10am.
The service will be streamed online here is the link: https://westgatechurchmn.subspla.sh/rq2d8zv
In lieu of flowers, if you desire to send a memorial gift, please consider one of the following:
· Glory Church of Aitkin (https://aitkinchurch.com/give.html)
· Westgate Church (https://www.westgatemn.church/give)
· Wooddale Church missions (https://wooddale.org/giving/)
· Trout Lake Camp (https://troutlakecamps.org/giving)