Dan was born on November 14, 1922, in Boston, Massachusetts,
where he also grew up. He served in the Navy during
World War II. For a time he was stationed in Chicago,
and it was there he met and married Doris A. King on
November 9, 1946. After the war ended, the couple
moved to Orr, where they raised their family and made
their home for 61 years. He first worked for the Scott
Erickson Lumberyard in Orr then retired as Postmaster of
Orr with over 20 years of service. At his retirement,
he was proudly presented with an eagle feather by the
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. “Murph”, as he was known
to many, was a member of the Orr Lions Club, American
Legion Post #480, was a
founding member of the Orr Housing Board, the Orr Hoop
Club, Minnesota Wild Rice Association and Orr Volunteer
Fire Dept. He was a longtime wild rice buyer and
processor. Murph was a devoted Twins fan, and earlier
an avid baseball player for Orr.
He was an avid outdoorsman
and loved fishing – making many fishing trips to the
Boundary Waters, where he introduced many people, young
and old, to its beauty.
He is survived by his wife
of 61 years, Doris; 4 daughters,
Carolann (Robert) Dostal
of Hibbing, Janet (Andrew) Autio of Virginia, Cathy
(Edward) Chavers of Orr and Linda (Daniel) Manick of
Cook; 3 sisters, Lorraine Harrington of Lexington, MA.,
Ruthie Cudmore of Plymouth,
MA. and Nancy Reardon of Manchester, New Hampshire; 11
Grandchildren: Dave (Anne) Alto, Craig Alto, Amy
(Darin) Brettingen, Christine (Michael) Thomas, Amber
(Brian) Bialczak, Brent (April) Autio, Timothy Chavers,
Edward Chavers, Zachary Manick, Ryan Manick and Mallory
Manick; 13 Great Grandchildren: Bailey and Paxton Alto,
Denielle Alto, Morgan and
Megan Brettingen, Logan Thomas, Alexis Bialczak,
Zoe Bialczak,
Ty Autio, Kyle Chavers,
Julianna Chavers, Hailey
Chavers and Logan Nurmi,
along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
In addition to his
parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth
O’Connell.
Funeral arrangements are
with the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook
Memorial services are set
for 2:00 PM Saturday
(Jan. 19th) at Holy Cross Catholic Church in
Orr. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6
to 8 PM
Friday at the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook, and will
continue for one hour prior to the service at the church
on Saturday. Rev. Arthur Dale will be the officiant.
The music will be provided by Rodney,
Evander and Al King. The
honorary casket bearers will be: David Alto, Craig Alto,
Brent Autio, Eddie Chavers, Tim Chavers, Zachary Manick
and Ryan Manick,
sister-in-law, Frances O’Connell of Cape Cod, MA., dear
friend, Lee Alto of Grand Rapids, MN.,
Military honors will be accorded by the combined Honor
Guards of the Orr American Legion Post #480
the Cook VFW Post #1757 and The Bois Forte Honor
Guard. Spring interment will be in the Leiding Cemetery
in Orr.