Date of Birth:
Saturday, October 26, 1940
Date of Death:
Friday, April 19, 2019
Age:
78 years old

Daniel Joseph Schiefert

Daniel Schiefert, 78, passed away peacefully and quietly at Seasons Hospice House surrounded by the love of his family on April 19, 2019 after a living courageously and graciously with prostate cancer for 15 years.

He was born October 26, 1940 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin to Joseph George and Helen Maxine (Doepke) Schiefert. He was raised on a farm outside Rewey, Wisconsin and graduated from Platteville, Wisconsin High School in 1959.

In 1960, Dan met Mary Habel at a Teen Hop (dance) and they were married on March 2, 1963 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort, Wisconsin. They were blessed with three children, Nicholas, Kelcey and Chad. After his graduation from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville in 1964 with a degree in Civil Engineering, he accepted a job with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and spent 35 years in working in District 6 and serving on multiple local and statewide committees, retiring as the District Design Engineer in 1999. After his retirement from MNDOT, Dan worked for Yaggy Colby Associates designing city, county and state highways. He was excited to be part of one of the state’s first design build projects for ROC 52 and enjoyed mentoring the young Engineers of the company. Dan was a part time realtor working at Frontier, All Pro and Westwood Realty’s for 25 years and was director for two years on the board of Realtors.

Dan volunteered with many clubs and associations, including the Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers, Math Counts Scholarship Awards Program and with his involvement in Zumbro Watershed Partnership and the Bluebird Recovery program Dan enjoyed the outdoors and working to protect the environment. In 1972 Dan and Mary took square dance lessons and have held many offices in the Carousel Squares, Rolling Squares (camping group), and Century Squares, where they have made many long-lasting friendships.

His hobbies also included playing bridge, poker and cribbage. He loved camping with the family, traveling to many states pulling a pop-up camper. Over the last few years, he and Mary have traveled extensively overseas, including Europe, the British Isles, New Zealand and two trips to Australia. They also went on several cruises and he has visited all but one state (Hawaii).  Dan and Mary were big fans of the Twins, Vikings and University of St Thomas Fast pitch softball teams. The last three years they have attended Minnesota Twins Spring Training together in Fort Myers, Florida.

Dan is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nicholas (Amanda) {Lindsey, Leah and Joseph} Schiefert; Kelcey (Kelly) {Cody (Taylor) Molly and Jaime} Lund; Chad (Debra) {Kayla (Michael) Brayden and Bennett Stock} {Kirsten (Kristoffer) Carter Langlie} {Cassandra (John) Ryleigh Schiefert} {Caitlin (Joel) Newberg} Christian Schiefert and Camille Schiefert]. He is also survived by his sister, Kay (Patrick) Lindsay; and brother, John (Renate) Schiefert; and three nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Maxine Schiefert; and two nephews.

A time of visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. April 26, 2019 with a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken funeral Home. Interment will be in Oakwood East Cemetery.

Dan’s family would like to thank Season’s Hospice for the excellent care they provided and will direct any memorials to his favorite charities and organizations.