Daniel A. Seifert

Daniel A. Seifert, 76, of Hawley, MN, passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2019, at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND. Daniel was born April 2, 1943, to Alex and Louise (Fiedler) Seifert, in Perham, MN, where he grew up and graduated from high school. Following high school, his interest in mechanics drove him to pursue a career in the field. Daniel married Susan Mathison in 1967. He worked in Perham, MN and later in Wadena, MN, as a self-taught diesel mechanic at local John Deere dealerships.  In 1974 the family moved to Casselton, ND, where Dan worked as a mechanic at RD Offutt, the local John Deere dealership.  Dan was highly involved in golf, Boys Scouts, bowling, church and gained many life-long friends.  The family moved to Hawley, MN, in 1984 where he worked as a Service Manager for Clay-Becker Implement, a John Deere dealership owned by his three nephews.  He enjoyed snowmobiling, watching Bison games, spending time at their lake home on Dead Lake, fishing with his grandchildren, having a beer and popping popcorn over evening bonfires, and making homemade ice cream for his family.  Upon his retirement in 2005 he returned to working for a friend at Brenco in West Fargo where he enjoyed staying active in servicing and tinkering with equipment.  Daniel could fix nearly anything and did so around his house and other’s homes.  He fixed tractors, made pinewood derby cars for his three sons, built doll houses for his two daughters, and later in life, built furniture for his children.  He could often be found sleeping in a recliner with a grandbaby on his chest and as the grandchildren grew, he enjoyed making them honey and cream bread, one of his favorite snacks. He always enjoyed helping others, collecting and restoring classic John Deere tractors, fishing, and especially spending time with his family. In 2006, Daniel met Ileen Hilgers. Together they’ve enjoyed the past few years wintering in Arizona, where he was able to reconnect with his brother, Paul, and spending the summers at their lake home on Star Lake near Dent, MN. Dan was a generous, kind and hard-working man that enjoyed working with his hands and could light up a room with his gentle smile.

Daniel is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Joanne) Seifert of Casselton, ND, Brian (Sheri) Seifert of Audubon, MN, Jennifer (Michael) Brenna of Sioux Falls, SD, Lora (Brian) Petermann of Hawley, MN, Michael (Nicci) Seifert of Lake Park, MN; grandchildren, Daniel Zieske and Ryan Seifert, Daniel and Jessica Seifert, Ashlea (Jared Peasley) Brenna, Kelsey and Tyler Brenna, Breann (Justin) Morrison, Allison (Adam) Wibe, Brady (Jordyn Byklum) Petermann, and Sammy Olson and Jayden Campbell; great-grandchildren, Alora, Payton, Colton, Easton, Kyrie and Harper; significant other, Ileen Hilgers, and her children, Jane (Ruben) Adrover, Jackie (Darin) Liebelt and Jeremy Raw; brother, Paul Seifert of Arizona; and sisters-in-laws, Ann Seifert and Anna Seifert.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Seifert, Rose (George) Martodam; and brothers, John Seifert, Carl Seifert and Leon (Delilah) Seifert.

Visitation will be Monday, September 2, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 6:00 p.m., in St. Andrews Catholic Church, Hawley, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, September 3, at 10:00 a.m., in St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Hawley, MN.

Interment will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Dent, MN.