At the age of 65, Dan Mead passed away peacefully, in the presence of his family, early Monday morning, October 1, 2018, at his home in Prior Lake, MN.
A visitation will be held on Friday, October 5, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and from 10 – 10:45 am prior to the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, October 6, at 11 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Dan’s pallbearers are the Scott County Sheriff’s Office Court Security Staff: John Kvasnicka, Keith Rozeboom, Gordy Klingbeil, Brian Studer, Lyle Svedahl, and Ken Dvorak. Honorary pallbearers are Scott Anderson, Mike Dudley, Don Ennenga, Merv Brenke, Steve Rost, Louis Steinhoff, Mark Hartman, Bob Forberg, Mike Cumiskey, Bret Krick, Daryn Kral, Marcus Hoffer, and Kayla Puncochar. He will be laid to rest at Credit River Catholic Cemetery, Prior Lake, MN.
On November 16, 1952, Daniel Gerard was born in Graceville, MN to parents Virgil and Georgia (Frey) Mead. He was the third of four children. Due to his father’s job, the family moved to several small towns in Minnesota, before settling their roots in Prior Lake in 1969. As a young boy, Dan enjoyed raising horses. He has fond memories of Carmel, Queeny and Ringo the colt. In Dan’s early teenage years, he even dappled in a garage band as the drummer. Many countless hours were also spent in assisting his parents in the family restaurant business. In high school, Dan participated in wrestling, football and track. He forever holds the record at Prior Lake High School for the 100-yard dash. (Because they switched to the 100-meter dash after several years!) Dan was a proud graduate of the Class of 1971.
Dan furthered his education at Moorhead State University, completing his law enforcement degree at Mankato State University. His first job was in the small town of Browns Valley, MN, as the Chief of Police. Months later he transferred to Worthington, MN, for a short time, before joining the Richfield PD for the next 33 years. Dan spent most of his career as a detective and was also involved with the SWAT Team. In 2009, Dan retired and started working for the Scott County Sheriff’s Department. He stepped away from Scott County when he was offered his dream job as an investigator with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). When he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, he returned to Scott County. Throughout his career, Dan had a strong desire to help people. He treated everyone in the community with respect and was proud of his service.
There was more to Dan than being a police officer. His greatest passion was family. At a small-town dance in Browns Valley, Dan reconnected with a first-grade classmate and neighbor, Renee Dehn, who he had not seen in 13 years. On October 17, 1975, they declared their love to each other at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moorhead. Dan and Renee welcomed two children into their arms, Jason and Jennifer, before settling in Prior Lake in 1987. He relished being a dad and never missed any of their school or sporting activities. For many years, Dan was a Boy Scout Leader and Committee Chair.
Dan passed on his love for the outdoors to his children. Many weekends were spent tenting and exploring the state parks of Minnesota. He loved canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and backpacking in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana, among other places. In later years, Dan and Renee purchased 2 rustic cabins in Ely, MN, with no electricity or plumbing. They recently purchased a different cabin with the finer amenities. This time together was so special to him. Dan enjoyed fishing and was grateful to pass on this love to his grandchildren.
A man known for coffee and Snickers bars, Dan fought long and hard the last five years after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Dan wants to be remembered as having deep Faith in God, strong commitment to his family, great love for the outdoors, and pride in his work. Forever loved and missed by wife, Renee; son, Jason (Ann) Mead and their children, Dominic, Clara, Laura, Kevin, Sara: daughter, Jennifer (Eric) O’Link and their children, Harrison, Adeline, Matthias; siblings, Steve (Sandy) Mead, JoAnn Mead, Marilyn Mead; other family and friends.
There to greet Dan in eternal peace are his parents, Virgil and Georgia Mead.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Mead family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
