Daniel Straw

DANIEL 'HOPPER' RICHARD STRAW was born on May 28, 1951 to Richard and Edna (Herheim) Straw in Pipestone, Minnesota. Dan was raised in Jasper, Minnesota where he was baptized and confirmed at the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church. He attended Jasper schools, graduating with the Jasper High School class of 1969. After graduating, he worked at the Jasper Stone Quarry before enlisting in the United States Army. While stationed in Washington D.C., Dan worked at the Pentagon. When he was honorably discharged from the Army, Dan attended the Willmar Community College in Willmar, Minnesota where he earned the title of draftsman. He then moved back to Jasper where he began working in construction. After his health limited him from working construction, he started working as a security guard at the Royal River Casino in Flandreau, South Dakota. Dan died on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 63 years, two months, and two days.

Dan was a member of the Jasper American Legion Post #133. In Dan’s earlier years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. He also had a passion for guns. He enjoyed coffee and conversation daily in Jasper. He loved visiting with people all over Jasper – at the community room and coffee shop, the mini mall, and the liquor store, to name a few. Dan was always experimenting and carving wood, a talented handyman and woodcrafter.

Dan is survived by his sister, Ilene (Wayne) DeBates of Jasper; his nephews, David Debates of Jasper, Jeff (Chrissy) DeBates of Jasper, one niece, Heather DeBates of Jasper; four great-nephews, Trevor DeBates of Fargo, North Dakota, Zachery DeBates of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, William DeBates of Jasper, and Matt DeBates of Jasper; and other family and friends. Dan is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.