Daniel J. Kurtz, 59, a lifelong resident of Superior, Wis. died Sat., June 11, 2011 in Essentia Health – St. Mary's, Duluth, Minn.

Dan was born Aug. 13, 1951 to LaVerne (Joliceour) and Erwin A. Kurtz.

He graduated from Superior Senior High School in 1969 and then attended, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, receiving several degrees.

He was a Great Lakes seaman having worked for the National Steel Corporation (Hanna Mining) before his employment with the Burlington Northern Railroad. He was a former co-owner of the Stargate Night Club and the Builder's Saloon.

On Jan. 30, 2008 he was united in marriage to the former Patty Jo Madlik-Rubel.

His memberships included the National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, White Tails Unlimited and he was a 24 year member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge No. 403. He was a former city council member.

Dan loved his Canadian fishing trips at the Northern Lights Lodge and also the fishing trips to Washington. Another highlight in his life was the bird hunting trips to South Dakota, staying in their private hunting lodge. He also enjoyed deer hunting in the Solon Springs area.

Cooking and baking was a specialty hobby of his. A hobby his friends and family benefited from.

He was "Uncle Dan" to several. For many years he was known to many as the "Candy Man", he would dole out sweet treats to everyone he met.

Dan is lovingly remembered by his wife, Patty Jo; his mother, LaVerne Kurtz; ten siblings, Nancy (Bud) Byrnes, Karen (Tom) Budnick, Judy (Darrell) Smith, George Kurtz, Tom (Mary Lu) Kurtz, Bonnie (Dale) Trolson, Ed (Rita) Kurtz, Ken (Becky) Kurtz, Mary (Doug) Score and Lori Benson; two daughters, Corrie Rubel and Michelle (Jeremy) Goad; four granddaughters who called him "Grumpa", Sophie, Cheyenne, Josie and Cassie; thirty-four nieces and nephews; sixty-seven great-nieces and great-nephews; three great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; many cousins, including a very special cousin, Frank; and his two faithful companions, Gus and Duke.

He was preceded in death by his father, Erwin Kurtz on July 3, 1998.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. in Downs Funeral Home, corner of Ogden Ave. & 19th St., on Wed., June 15th where an Elk Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume at 10:30 a.m. Thurs. and continue until the 11:30 a.m. Memorial Mass in St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Honorary pallbearers will be Dan's fishing buddies, Frank Gotelaere, Eric Flood, Chris Belch, Frank Juno, Howard Ohren, Kenny Moore, Dave Larson and George LaValley.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Polinski Speech Therapy Department, especially to Susan Schaeffer, his special speech therapist.