Dan was born & raised in Minot ND by his parents Lynn and Mount Carmel Petersen.
He joined the army in 1968, he served in the Vietnam war, and later in Arizona & Germany. While serving in the war he was stationed in Thailand. There he met and married his wife of 55 years Chaw Nhacklang.
After serving his term in the Army he and Chaw moved to Minot where they raised their two children Paul and Lisa.
Dan retired from the Minot Public school system and moved to Underwood, ND after the Minot flood of 2011.
Dan is survived by his wife Chaw; son, Paul (Rose) Fargo, ND; daughter Lisa Petersen, Minot, ND, grandson Edward Crowther (Stationed in Iraq), Cody Petersen, Granville, Tyra Petersen, Arizona. Great-grandson Oliver Petersen, and many nieces and nephews.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lynn, Ronald, Edward, Timothy and sister Janice.
Dan will be laid to rest at the Mandan Veterans Cemetery.