Daniel J. Kerkvliet

Daniel J. Kerkvliet, age 55 of Alexandria, formerly Starbuck died on Tuesday, January 7th, from complications of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the U of M Fairview Hospital at age 55, surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, January 15th at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Joe Vandeberg officiating. A Rosary prayed by the Christian Mothers will be Tuesday, January 14th at 4:30 p.m. followed by a visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Daniel Joseph Kerkvliet was born on July 26th, 1969, to John and Elaine (Jelen) Kerkvliet in Buffalo, MN.  The third of six children, he spent his childhood in St. Michael, St. Leo, and Starbuck, MN. Dan was involved in football, basketball, baseball, and track at Starbuck High School, graduating in 1988.

Dan went on to play football at Fergus Falls Community College and attended Ridgewater College. He was employed in various positions before starting with the U.S. Postal Service in 2001 in Litchfield. He became a Postmaster in 2008 and held that position in Ashby, Morris, and Starbuck, where he was employed until beginning treatment for cancer. In 2012, Dan found his soulmate when he met Sheila Crary, and they made their home in Alexandria. Dan’s pride and joy was their daughter Kendal, stepson Bryan and wife Tasja, and four grandchildren.

Dan loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed coaching his daughter in basketball, assisting with the Starbuck Stars baseball team, and playing in basketball, softball, bowling, and volleyball leagues. He loved shopping for Christmas and birthday gifts (especially for the kids in his life), and putting together Easter baskets and egg hunts. Dan always knew how to make people laugh and was wonderful with kids. He was kind, genuine, friendly, generous, and he will be forever missed.

Dan is survived by his wife, Sheila; daughter, Kendal; stepson, Bryan (Tasja) Crary of Evansville; mother, Elaine of Glenwood; father- and mother-in-law, Dale and Diane Hanson of Clarissa; grandchildren, Aria, Oryn, Jay, and Harvey of Evansville; sisters, Jen (Dave) Germundson of Starbuck and Mary (Mitch) Johnsrud of Lowry; brothers, Jerry (Joan) Kerkvliet of Glenwood and Greg Kerkvliet of Starbuck; brothers-in-law, Randy Ahrendt of Clarissa and Ryan (Darla) Ahrendt of Tomah, WI; nephews and nieces, Cale, Ally, and Aubree Johnsrud, Ben, Emilie, and Bria Germundson, and Ben and Sam Ahrendt; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. 

Dan is preceded in death by his father, John; brother, Thomas; grandparents, Gerard and Ann Kerkvliet, and Albert and Genevieve Jelen; aunt, Roberta Girard; uncles, Vincent Girard, Odrean Citrowske, and Gene Jelen; and several beloved cousins.

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