Danny Deutsch

Danny Joe Deutsch was born on June 19, 1956 in Rock Rapids, Iowa to Fabian and Leoris (Schilling) Deutsch. Danny attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic School and then Ellsworth Public School in Ellsworth, Minnesota. At the age of 18, Danny enlisted in the United States Army serving from 1974-1977 in Bad Kissingen, Germany. His time was spent working on and being a tank driver patrolling the east and west border, working his rank up to run his own tank. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Ellsworth working miscellaneous jobs. In the summer of 1979, he started driving truck for Jim Johannsen out of Luverne, Minnesota. Danny was united in marriage to Michelle Donth on August 4, 1979 and from this marriage they had two children, Colter and Amanda. The two later divorced in 2014.

Danny bought his first truck in 1981, and then in 1984 he began working for Allen Howard and Golden Pheasant in Sioux Falls. In 1986 Danny went off on his own and started up Deutsch Trucking. He and his family grew the business and primarily hauled produce to California for 30+ years. As the trucking business continued to grow, in 2014 he handed the reigns over to his children and Danny’s driving days slowed down. On August 9, 2024 Danny was united in marriage to Victoria Cauwels. On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Danny died unexpectedly at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 69 years, 8 months, and 2 days.

Being with family was always a highlight for Danny. Once his son Colter turned 14 and started racing, many weekends were spent with family and friends that turned into a racing family. You could almost always find the Deutsch trailer at Rapid Speedway, Lake County Speedway, Husets Speedway, or Deer Creek Speedway. After slowing down from trucking, Danny put more of his focus on spending time with his grandchildren. Danny loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was very proud of each and every one of them. Danny and Victoria together enjoyed traveling to the grandchildren’s various activities and sporting events to support them. Danny had always enjoyed playing Buck Euchre and Pinochle as well as shaking dice with the guys in Kanaranzi, Ellsworth, or Little Rock. At times, some games would even get a little out of hand. Over the past few years he began meeting with a coffee crew at Pizza Ranch, some also joined in for Thursday evening Pizza Ranch suppers as well. Danny just loved to be around people and occasionally give others a hard time.

Danny is survived by his wife, Victoria Deutsch of Kanaranzi; two children, Colter (Codie) Deutsch of Steen, Minnesota, and Amanda (Ryan) Walker of Luverne; six grandchildren, Emma (special friend, Karsen), Andrew, and Jacob Deutsch, and Mackenzie, Elizabeth, and Landon Walker; six siblings, Randy (Carla) Deutsch, Cathy Deutsch, Jeffrey (Laurie) Deutsch, Gary (Brenda) Deutsch, Mary (Daryl) Kramer, and Sally Lloy; aunts and uncles, William Deutsch, John (Trudy) Deutsch, Donna Deutsch, Betty Deutsch, Clifford (Sharon) Schilling, Marjorie DeBerg, Marlene (Martin) Laverman, Georgia May Sterler, and Faye DeBoer; and two bonus children, Jeffery (fiancé Tori) Cauwels, and Kristina (special friend, Tanner) Cauwels. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Sue Deutsch; brother-in-law; Mark Lloyd; and many aunts and uncles.