Daniel John Minnema
SEPTEMBER 10, 1952 – JULY 27, 2022
IN THE CARE OF
Daniel John Minnema was born in 1952 in Evanston, Illinois to Virginia and Nick Minnema. He spent his childhood building cardboard spaceships, sailing on Lake Michigan and caring for the family’s many ponies and dogs. Dan graduated from New Trier High School in Northfield, IL where he ran track and grappled with opponents on the wrestling team. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biology from Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he was constantly visited by his dog, Ruff. Dan fell in love with Kristi Hoel while working at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. They were married in Northfield in 1975 eight months after first meeting each other. Dan happily served ice cream to his family and friends at the wedding reception. Ruff was not impressed when Dan and Kristi got their first wire-haired fox terrier, Shadow, soon afterwards.
Dan’s life-long passion for science led him to earn a PhD in toxicology from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. Following completion of his degree, Dan and Kristi moved to Kentucky where he started a postdoc at the University of Cincinnati. Katie, Karen, and a new wire-haired fox terrier, Ellie, joined the family in their home in Crestview Hills. Dan spent his time working as an assistant professor, terrorizing the neighborhood kids with water balloons, and sporting around in his classic Morgan convertible.
The Minnema family moved to Great Falls, Virginia, when Dan started a new job at a Covance research facility. Laura and their third wire-haired fox terrier, Kassi, joined the family. Dan especially loved to take the dogs on walks through Great Falls National Park.
Dan and Kristi moved to Summerfield when he started a new job at Syngenta in Greensboro. They enjoyed the slower pace of North Carolina, and spent most of their time exploring the area and making new friends. Karlee, their fourth wire-haired fox terrier, loved to play frisbee in the front yard with Dan every chance she could get.
Dan’s lifelong passions included fishing, boating, science, science-fiction, reading, watching old movies, building shelves and teaching. He celebrated every time that he was the only one who correctly answered the Final Jeopardy question. He enjoyed spending time with his family in the Northwoods of Wisconsin every summer, and teaching his daughters to fish and canoe.
Dan is survived by his wife, Kristi, three daughters Katie (Dave), Karen (Chris), and Laura (Josh), and five grandchildren Lorelai, Colin, Eamon, Joseph, and Astrid. He is also survived by his sister Gail and nephew Tom, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 7:00 PM on Wednesday August 3, 2022 at Advantage Funeral & Cremation Service. The family will greet friends immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Greensboro Urban Ministry.
https://www.greensborourbanministry.org/
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageGreensboro.com for the Minnema family.
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