"Dr. Dan Meyer (as I and others called him) taught us many things in the engineering department at Suttle! One of the great quotes from Dan was: Get it done and ask for forgiveness later! But Dan's message was always do the right thing for the people of Suttle! He was my first real boss when he hired me back in 1988. He's a great guy and was always approachable no matter what the situation was either in work or outside the workplace. Some of the good memories besides his mentorship at Suttle, was our racquetball games (and he had no issue hitting you with the ball if you were in the way) at the Hector Athletic Club and golf events at his place on Lake Alley. Sympathies to Marilyn and the rest of the Dan Meyer family. Rick and Kristy Marks - Suttle "
In loving memory of
Daniel Meyer
November 29, 1937 - March 29, 2018
Dan Meyer passed away on March 29, 2018 at the age of 80. Being a husband, dad and "Papa Dan" was his greatest joy. The love of family was unconditional and he was lucky to be surrounded by so many who thought the world of him: married to Marilyn Austin for 26 years; survived by family members: Jeff, Deb, Danny and Kevin Meyer; Kelley, Steve and Emiley Sandvik and Steffan Weidenbach; Ben, Kate, Charlie and Gavin Sandvik; Kathy Mike and Emma Gordley; Jay, Jackie, Anne Marie and Claire Meyer; Dan, Melanie, EmmaKate and Natalie Austin; Jim Austin and Lora Koehler; and brother to Jerry and Nancy Meyer; Nancy and Bob Eschrich; and a friend to everyone he met.
Dan was born to Elmer and Marie Meyer on November 29, 1937 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm near Palmer, Iowa where daily chores included feeding pigs and chickens, milking cows, hauling water for the animals and working in the fields. He attended country school and church every Sunday.
In 1951, the family moved to a new farm near Waltham, MN. Farming duties continued, but with indoor plumbing this time! After years in a one-room schoolhouse, Dan started attending Austin High School. He finished out high school in Blooming Prairie.
After high school, Dan started junior college in Austin, where he met the requirements of an IBM recruiter. He accepted a job and stayed with IBM in Rochester for 17 years. He then worked for smaller companies and in 2000 he retired from Communications Systems, located in Hector, MN.
During his time Communications Systems, Dan and Marilyn lived in several locations, retiring in Crosby, MN, again moving to Lake City, MN and recently returning to Rochester, MN.
Dan was always curious and eager for new experiences. He was nothing short of a renaissance man: he built boats and golf clubs, baked bread, gardened extensively, dabbled in woodworking, a member of various local service organizations, volunteered with friends to landscape church grounds and mentored high school students. He also had a way with words, as friends and family from near and far always anticipated his entertaining Christmas letters.
He was very close with his children and enjoyed golfing, cribbage, hunting and fishing trips. He and Marilyn always looked forward to family gatherings like the traditional Easter egg hunts and old-fashioned family Christmases celebrated in various locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida. His grandkids always looked forward to visits to grandpa and grandma's house because they knew there would be fun arts and crafts projects and homemade ice cream.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Lake City (100 Peace Ridge) with Pastor Tim Ehling from First Lutheran Church and Pastor Glenn Monson from Mount Olive Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials are preferred to Season's Hospice, First Lutheran Church or Mount Olive Lutheran Church for maintaining their flower gardens or a charity of your choice.
To leave a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Ranfranz and vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW
Rochester, MN 55901 (507) 289-3600
Tributes
"Dan (Patch) and I graduated 1956 from AHS. We shared a apartment in Rochester around the time he started IBM. A great guy and friend. RIP. Sheldon Hanson. LV Nv."
"Marilyn, We are so sorry to hear of Dan's sudden illness and passing. He was a wonderful neighbor and we both enjoyed him and his sense of humor. Catherine Ewing and Gary Bornfleth"
"Locke and I are saddened to lose Dan. We so enjoyed his gentle nature and friendship! Loved visiting the biker bar in Florida with him! Please know that in our memories he will never be gone... Dorothy and Locke Perkins, Lake City, MN"
"Dan was such a dear friend to my dad, Bob George ... I like to imagine that they're together in a better place planning some sort of shenanigans. I'm so very sorry for your loss. Kathy (George) Berman "
"Dan was such a kind, thoughtful man, who gave his time freely to First Lutheran Church for as long as he and Marilyn lived in Lake City. We will miss his visits. God bless his memory and I pray for Marilyn and family."