Daniel Wade Zahn, 61, Hoxie, Kansas, passed away October 11, 2024, from a tragic heavy equipment accident in Sheridan County.
Dan was born August 31, 1963, to Marvel and Irene (Lytle) Zahn in Bottineau, North Dakota. He was an avid basketball player. Through the years many people were impressed with his sports and work ethic due to him having only one hand as the result of a farm accident when he was four years old. According to Dan he never had a disability he couldn’t conquer. He was a determined kind of guy. After Dan finished high school in Westhope, North Dakota, he joined the workforce as a heavy equipment operator. Soon after, he met his first wife Nicole Roy. To this union two daughters, Shelby and Megan were born.
After his divorce Dan settled in Bogue, Kansas, where he started his heavy equipment operating company, Dan’s Dirt Works, in 2006. He considered it one of his greatest work accomplishments. Among his favorite jobs were building locations, moving rigs and setting tank batteries. With his sense of humor, he kept the job site very interesting. All who knew Dan will never forget his infectious laughter, smart mouth and entertaining comments. Dan loved sports, especially basketball. As a high school player, he was better than most, scoring double digits. His love for sports continued as he took special pride in his children and grandchildren’s sporting activities.
Later in 2008 Dan met the love of his life Donata Geerdes. They were married November 8, 2009. For the next 10 years the couple resided in Bogue. Soon after Dan sold his business, he returned to his old roots working at the Hoxie Feedyard. Dan enjoyed taking his grandchildren around the feedlot and showing them his day-to-day work life. Dan was known to be able to do it all at the feedyard: from feeding to mechanical work and heavy equipment operating.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents Marvel and Irene Zahn; his sister-in-law Jerilyn Zahn; his brothers-in-law Rickie Gust and Leonard Marcotte; his niece Amber Gust; and his great-nephew Boston Glueckert. Survivors left to mourn his passing are his wife, Donata, of the home; daughters Shelby (Nick) Geist and Megan (Cameron) Ghumm, both of WaKeeney; his step-children: Cody (Crystal) Wolf, Hays, Matt (Jenna) Wolf, Grinnell, Chelsie Wolf (Roger Billips), Bogue; his sisters Janell Gust, Claycomo, Missouri and Susan O’Neil, Drayton, North Dakota; his brothers Teri Zahn of Westhope, North Dakota and Bruce (Christy) Zahn of Wichita, Kansas; his mother-in-law Rosie (Dennis) Hayes of Colby; his sister-in-law Brenda (Ed) Gaccetta of Parker, Colorado; 12 grandchildren with another one due in January; many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
Visitation – Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 4 to 7 p.m. at Stinemetz Funeral Home with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral Service, Thursday, October 17, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Bogue United Methodist Church, Bogue, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and may be sent in care of Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, Kansas 67642. Condolences for the family may be posted on www.stinemetzfh.com.