HURon — Dan Thelen, 64, of Huron, passed away Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
His funeral mass will be celebrated at 11a.m., Monday, October 2, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with burial in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery at Montrose. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with his family present from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. There will be a Scripture Service and Rosary at 5 p.m. Sunday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Daniel Casey Thelen was born April 21, 1953, in Pierre. Dan was the son of Stan and Val (Budde) Thelen. He grew up in Pierre and graduated from T.F. Riggs High School in 1971. Dan attended college in Springfield and graduated from Dakota State College in 1976.
Dan began his teaching and coaching career in Kimball before moving to Montrose, where he led the Irish football team to back-to-back state championships in 1983 and 1984. They were also the 9B runner-up in 1985.
On August 15, 1988, he married Linda Erickson Struck at Montrose. Dan and Linda moved their family to Huron where Dan had a 27-year teaching and coaching career. He led the Tigers to ESD Conference championships in 1989 and 1991, to a 1991 state runner-up finish, and to a 1992 State AA football championship. In addition to coaching his sons in football, he also coached them in Little League and Legion baseball, winning many championships, most notably Shaun’s Teener State championship in 2006. Dan was also a pioneer pole vault coach in the state of South Dakota, supporting several male and female athletes toward earning college athletic scholarships. He was the recipient of many coaching awards including the National High School Football Coach of the Year in 1984. He was inducted into the South Dakota Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2006.
Dan was an avid hunter. He loved to hunt deer and pheasant with his sons and friends. He also loved to golf, play tennis, fish and spend time training and running his dogs. Dan enjoyed attending many Stanley County horse races with his family. Dan loved his grandchildren and was often found in the stands or pacing the sidelines of their many activities. He looked forward to spending time with his friends at Manolis Grocery.
Dan is survived by his wife, Linda Thelen of Huron; his sons, Shaun Thelen and fiancé, Cassie Decker and his daughter, Grey Thelen of Huron, Mark and Jenni Struck and their children, Isaac, Emanuel, Sienna and Abrahm Struck of Sioux Falls, Mike and Jinny Struck and their children, Max, Zach and Kate Struck of Brookings, and Matt and Jen Struck and their children, Samuel and Ella Struck of Des Moines, Iowa. He is also survived by his siblings, Mike (Julie) Thelen of Ft. Pierre, Bill Thelen of Aguanga, Calif., Mary Jo (Steve) Schoepp of Sioux Falls, Trish Thelen of Wichita, Kan., Nancy (Rick) Shacklett of Rapid City, and Carrie (Jeremy) Bruck of Atlanta, Ga.; his aunt, LoraLee (Carol Hildebrand) Thelen; his uncle, Bill (Linda) Thelen; his aunt, Elaine Thelen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Dorothy Erickson of Montrose; his brothers-in-law, David Erickson of Salem, Dan (Deb) Erickson of Harrisburg, Bob (Denise) Erickson of Montrose and Jeff (Rhonda) Erickson of Crooks; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Stan and Val Thelen; his uncle, Allen Thelen; and his granddaughter, Mara Struck.
Arrangements are under the direction of Kuhler Funeral Home.
Visit www.kuhlerfuneralhome.com
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