HURON — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Danny Baum, age 80, of Huron. Danny gained his angels wings on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 6:48 p.m., in his home and with the comfort of knowing his daughter, Tina and her husband, Sean were by his side until his passing.
The son of Sybil A. Baum (Raynor), and Leroy A. Baum, Danny was born December 22, 1943, at Huron Sprague Hospital in Huron. Dan grew up in a loving home with his brother Oliver and his sister Elaine (Podhrahsky). His passion for classic cars started at an early age. He once hitchhiked to Oregon at 17 years old to purchase a candy apple red ‘40 Ford Coupe.
Danny graduated from Huron High School in 1962. He married the love of his life, Janice I. Goehring, in 1963. Danny enlisted in the U.S. Navy and received his basic training in Great Lakes, Ill. Danny was first stationed in Millington, Tenn., and then spent the rest of his service in San Diego, Calif.
His only son, Mike, was born in San Diego in 1965. Upon completion of military service, he returned to Huron to work for the Bureau of Reclamation. He welcomed his second child, Tina, in 1970. Dan came from humble beginnings. He utilized his mechanical talent and his ability to think outside the box to provide for his family. In his spare time, he installed air conditioners in cars in his garage and purchased one of the first snow blowers in town to clear snow in the winter.
In, 1975, he purchased Larsen Manufacturing located in Wolsey. They moved the business to Huron in 1979. They started off making cabs for farm/construction tractors, installing air conditioning units and servicing commercial refrigeration units.
Dan built many homes over the years. Most notably, he built a two-story house in the loft of a barn that overlooked the James River. The barn was part of an old dairy farm that was located on the hill between 9th and13th Streets, on Lawnridge Avenue SE. His next project was restoring a ‘35 Chevy one-ton truck, which took him more than 10 years.
Dan’s other passions in life include his love of dogs and hunting. He often reminisced about his hunting trip to Argentina. Many fond memories come to mind involving heavy snow and the pursuit of birds. Tow ropes were used often to pull each other out of snow drifts. One memorable hunt, Kim Tschetter purchased a commercial snow plow from the airport to clear a path in the snow so that they could more effectively hunt the tree strips.
Dan retired in 2005 when he sold Larsen Manufacturing. He liked to stay busy. He continued to buy and sell land, work on projects, have coffee with his friends and visited San Diego to reminisce about the time that he spent there as a young man. In the Fall and Winter he looked forward to pheasant hunting with his friends and family.
Toward the end of his life, he spent most of his time with his beloved dog Free. Free went everywhere with Dan, riding in the bed of Dan’s truck. He took her out running at least twice a day. She was truly “man’s best friend.” Free is currently living with a loving family in Faulkton where she is able hunt, per Dan’s wishes.
There are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to: Amy Duxbury who cared for him during the final months of his life, HRMC Hospice Care Team, and to Julie Peterson for her healing hands. In his finally days, he was thankful to all of the friends that he had made over the years.
Grateful for having shared his life are his son, Michael (Margaret) Baum, Chicago, and daughter, Tina (Sean) Baum, Huron, and grandchildren, Allie Baum and James Baum, Chicago.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, sister and many beloved pets.
There will be a private burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens in the near future, per Dan’s wishes.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up to help support abandoned pets in our community.
For more fond memories, please the visit the Kuhler website to view the slide show.
www.kuhlerfuneralhome.com
