Daniel Siegfried

DANIEL LEE SIEGFRIED passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at his home in rural Valley Springs, South Dakota at the age of 72 years, five months and eight days.

Daniel Lee Siegfried was born on June 1, 1950, to a fiercely loving mother, Bette (McKay) and a hardworking father, Lester Siegfried, at the hospital in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He was able to fully enjoy growing up on a farm in the country with many relatives and family friends nearby. Whether he was helping his parents tend to their milk cows or exploring Swedes Forrest in the Minnesota River Valley, the independence to be wild and free is something Dan always treasured. Throughout his school years he thrived in activities, excelled in academics, enjoyed being a part of the student council, acting in plays, and was a member of the track team. All of this was peppered with his love for fishing, hunting, and enjoying life and all it had to offer.

As Dan dreamt about the future, he made his way to the University of Minnesota, Morris, where he found the love of his life, Mary Finke, sitting behind him in a biology classroom. This is where their journey together began. Dan and Mary were married in 1971 at the United Methodist Church in Luverne, Minnesota. Following their marriage they moved to a farm place near Hills, Minnesota, where they grew their love, life, and family together.

Dan farmed many years of his life and also had a long career in the crop insurance business. He was a beloved coworker to all that he worked with. Dan had a servant heart and passion for giving back to his community. He served on the local township board, school board, Co-op Elevator Board and was a member of the Masons. In his retirement years, Dan was his wife’s caregiver in her Parkinson’s disease process. Although not the retirement that either of them envisioned, it was filled with continued love and grace for one another. It is said that a great marriage is not the union of two perfect people, but an imperfect couple who accepts and embraces each other. Dan and Mary provided a steadfast example of love and commitment to their children and grandchildren.

Dan will be remembered for his love of family, people, cooking, baking, travel, history, hunting, fishing, and classic cars. Time is fleeting and Dan always encouraged all to live life to its fullest potential. He would want his family to know that this is not a goodbye - it is but a short time until we meet again. Praise be to his Maker!

Dan is lovingly survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary; daughter, Michele Baker of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, son, Mike (Beth) Siegfried of Worland, Wyoming, and daughter, Angie (Jon) Steinbach of Montevideo, Minnesota; grandchildren, Peyton, Karlee, Abby, Anna, Victor, and Quinn; and a great-grandchild, Skylar; siblings, Gary (Diane) Siegfried of Redwood Falls, Dennis Siegfried of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Julie (David) Lawson of Le Roy, Minnesota, Sue Bowen of Morton, Minnesota, and Rick (Denise) Siegfried of Redwood Falls; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Vicki Siegfried.