Obit: Potapenko, Daniel Paul (1951 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bah, Goebel, Kerns, Kloss, Mallo, Meider, Pettersen, Potapenko, Tretbar

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 3/19/2015

Potapenko, Daniel Paul (7 MAR 1951 - 15 MAR 2015)

Daniel Paul Potapenko, age 64, of Burnsville, Minn., passed away on March 15, 2015.

He was born on March 7, 1951 to Paul and Janice (Goebel) Potapenko in Chippewa Falls. He was raised in Hammond, Ind. for several years before moving with his family to a farm near Gilman.

He graduated from Gilman High School in 1969 where he still holds records for football running back stats. After high school, he worked in various sales and marketing positions. He also was a self-taught guitar player and was the lead guitar player and vocalist in his band, "The Silver Dollar Band." He then moved to Colorado and worked for a solar energy business selling and installing solar panels in homes.

Daniel met Susan Tretbar, in Burnsville, and they were married on November 3, 1986 in Watertown, S.D. They resided and raised their family in Burnsville. Daniel loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and of course, his music - listening, singing and playing guitar. And, as all of his friends know, he was a diehard Packers fan. He loved telling jokes and was quick witted, leaving many of us laughing. He was a man of faith and hope. He believed in the promise that we would live with Him. (John 14:1-4).

Daniel is survived by wife, Susan; sons, Daniel Jr. (Alyssa), Stephen and Adam (Heather); daughters, Carmen (Alhaji) Bah and Melissa Meider; six grandchildren, Calvin Kloss, Karim Bah, Fatima Bah, Olivia Potapenko, Maksim Potapenko and Karl Pettersen; brothers, Donald (Sandy), David (Lee) and Doug (Tammy); sisters, Kathy (Gary) Mallo and Annette Kerns; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 19 at 11 a.m. at White Funeral Home in Burnsville. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 at White Funeral Home, and also one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Interment will be in the Yellow River Cemetery near Gilman.