Daniel Thomas Elke, age 58, of Jordan, MN, passed peacefully on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Methodist Hospital, in St Louis Park, MN.
A time of gathering will be held on Monday, April 10, 2023, from 4-7 PM, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 West First Street, Jordan, and on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, from 10-10:45 AM, with a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 AM, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 313 Second Street East, Jordan. Guests may also join via live streaming at www.sjbjordan.org and clicking on the live stream tab. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Dan will be laid to rest at St. John Calvary Cemetery, in Jordan.
Vernon and Rosemary (Sheehan) Elke loved being surrounded by a big family. On December 1, 1964, in Shakopee, MN, they welcomed Daniel, who was the sixth of fourteen children. The community of Jordan became his lifelong place of residency. Dan was interested in all things in Jordan. He knew the places to hang out as a child; fishing in the Mill Pond, exploring the creek, waterfalls, and learning the history of the community. Dan attended the Jordan school system and was proud to represent the Jordan Hubmen in wrestling and football. Nicknamed “Potso’, he was a graduate of the Class of 83’.
After graduating, Dan attended Hennepin Tech in Eden Prairie, MN. He spent most of his career working in the printer industry. Dan was a talented graphic designer. He later switched gears and traveled the United States setting up printer systems and handling the maintenance for companies.
Dan was a gifted music artist and songwriter. In the early 1990’s, he was the lead singer for Wild Child and Groove Spoons. Dan loved being on stage entertaining people and watching them sing and dance the night away. He relished playing in night clubs in Minneapolis, MN and participating in battle of the bands.
Dan continued his roots in Jordan, where he eventually married and raised his family. The love story between Dan and Shannon Ida Kiecker started back in her early school years. Their paths kept crossing and eventually they started dating. Dan and Shannon were married on August 22, 1998, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Jordan. From this union, they were blessed with three children, Ariel Ruth, Daniel Thomas Jr., and Nathaniel Vernon.
As the children grew, Dan showed them what a great community Jordan was to live in. He enjoyed coaching the kids in sports, exploring the creek with them, and attending the local events. Dan’s love for animals as a child continued throughout life too. The Elke home was always filled with the companionship of many dogs and cats, most of them rescued animals.
Besides being a great graphic designer, Dan also had a creative edge. He loved carving by hand, walking canes and painting rocks. Dan also was mechanically creative and tried his best to fix things, even if it meant being held together with duct tape and an occasional Mountain Dew bottle. He loved tinkering on motorcycles and riding them. Dan was too a car nut and tried his best at competing in the demolition derbies at the Scott County Fair. In his spare time, Dan enjoyed treasure hunting at antique shops. He continued supporting his Jordan community by being involved in the Historical Society and even ran for Mayor one year.
Dan’s joking around, making people laugh and love of having a great time will be missed. The stories of his welcoming and caring heart, his story telling, and luck of pull tabs and scratch offs will live on in those Dan loved the most. Forever loved by his children, Ariel Elke, Danny Elke, Nate Elke; extended son, Dallas Winter; siblings, Vern (Nancy) Elke, Terry (Cathy) Elke, Linda (Mark) Fahrenkamp, Tony Elke, Mike (Lori) Elke, Ann (Dave) Dettmann, Vince (Tracy) Elke, Rose (John) Johnson, Polly (Jeff) Sohler, Tom (Anit) Elke, John (Leigh) Elke, Mary Beise; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Welcoming him home in eternal life is his loving wife, Shannon, parents, Vernon and Rosemary, and infant brother.
