Daniel Schmidtke

Daniel "Dan" George Schmidtke, 68, of Andover, went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at his home.

Dan was born July 22, 1957, in Estherville, Iowa, the son of Ervin and Myra (Ziemer) Schmidtke.

While Dan was growing up, his time was split between Walker and southern Minnesota and he graduated from Sherburn High School in 1975. He moved to attend Bemidji State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in computer science. It was during this time that he met Mary Lou Sporre and the two dated until they married on June 2, 1979.

Following graduation, he took his first job with Montgomery Ward and later went back to school at the Control Data Institute. He took a position at Fermented Products in Mason City, IA and a year later moved to become director of Information Systems at Mercy Hospital. The family moved to Dallas in 1988, and Dan worked for Coopers and Lybrand Accounting Firm where he became a consultant for health care. He also worked for Baylor University and finally the senior director for INFOR.

The highlight of Dan's life were his children and grandchildren, and in his spare time he loved participating in their lives. He became his children's soccer coach when they were in elementary school and would be the guy that went into the pool with the kids when no one else felt like it.

Dan enjoyed giving back to the community and he did this by fixing things. He participated in the Car Care Program for Anoka County, where he and others would take cars, fix them and give them to low-income people who couldn't afford to buy one.

Dan was recognized on WCCO radio's Good Neighbor for this achievement. He could fix anything, whether it was car repairs, house repairs or electrical wiring for the house. They called him Mr. Fix It and his favorite tool was YouTube.

Dan also liked to play cards and taking his family and friends tubing out on the boat where he was known as "Captain Dan." The greatest thing Dan wanted everyone to know was his love for the Lord.

The family would like to invite everyone to write notes for Dan to place in his casket before the service begins.

Funeral services for Dan will be held at 11 a.m., Oct. 17 with visitation one hour prior to the service all held at Northern Peace Funeral Home in Walker.

Joe Duray will be leading the service. Pallbearers will be Andrew Schmidtke, Chad Schmidtke, Ervin Baumann, Elijah Duray, Joshua Sporre and Packy Sporre. Honorary pallbearers will be all his nieces and nephews who were dear to his heart.

Interment will be held in Evergreen Cemetery following the service at the funeral home. Lunch will be served following graveside at Emmanuel Lutheran Church fellowship hall.

Online condolences for the family may be given at www.northernpeace.com

Dan's care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker.