Daniel "Dan" Vonnahme

Daniel "Dan" Vonnahme, age 65 of Algona, passed away Friday, August 12, 2022 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Divine Mercy Catholic Parish - St. Cecelia in Algona. Mass will be livestreamed via Divine Mercy's YouTube page https://youtu.be/47fZhJYstJ8. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at Divine Mercy Catholic Parish - St. Cecelia Presentation Center from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Algona.
Daniel Joseph Vonnahme was born on October 13, 1956 in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the son of Lawrence and Ethelyn (Wolterman) Vonnahme. He grew up on the farm west of Mallard where he attended grade school at St. Mary's Catholic School, then graduated from Mallard High School in 1975. Following high school, Dan farmed with his dad until Speed retired and then with his brother, Bob. On September 10, 1977, Dan was united in marriage to Darla Carlson in Mallard, Iowa. The couple made their home on the farm near Mallard where they raised their four children. Dan graduated from the World Wide College of Auctioneering in March 1980.
Through his farming years, Dan raised hogs and cattle in addition to crop farming. Dan's passion for both the livestock and auction business came together when he began managing Spencer Livestock. This was the beginning of the next chapter as they purchased their first livestock auction, Gowrie Livestock, in 1999 and again when they bought another livestock auction, Algona Livestock, in 2004. Of all the things Dan did during his lifetime, this was the place where Dan's love for the livestock industry would shine the most. If you ever saw Dan around, he was on his flip phone with someone giving them advice, talking about the markets, or just shooting the breeze – he would always pick up his phone no matter who it was that needed to talk. Anyone who knew him - knew him as a friend, the man who would tell you like it is (whether you wanted to hear it or not), would be there to help and donate his time and gift of auctioneering to many people over the years. Dan had a special place in his heart for his wife and every single one of his kids and grandkids. From the nicknames to the badgering, they will all carry on his legacy.
Left to carry on his memory are his wife of 45 years, Darla; children, Alicia (Zach) Eichmeier of Ankeny, Sarah Vonnahme of Algona, Pat (Meredith) Vonnahme of LuVerne, and Amber Vonnahme of Algona; grandchildren, Avery, Blake, Reid, Mitch, Lance and Ella; brother Bob (Betty) of Havelock; in-laws Delmar (Jean) Carlson of Albert City, Deb (Jim) Travis of Mallard, Doyle (Sherry) Carlson of Vernal, UT; many nieces and nephews and their children. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Ken (Diane) Vonnahme; in-laws Roy and Verva Carlson; brother and sister-in-law Steve and Denise Sassman.
Let's all go on raising our cattle 3 by day and 2 at night and living our lives as Dan always ended his auctions – "Ok, folks. That's all for today. Pay for your bargains and go home rejoicing. See you next week."