DANIEL VINCENT PEIL

Daniel Vincent Peil, age 69 of Lake George, MN entered the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at his home with his loved ones by his side.

Dan was born on September 26, 1942 in Superior, WI to Vincent and Alvina (Cook) Peil. His family moved to Milwaukee, WI when Dan was 8. He entered the United States Army in March of 1960, where he served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division. He was honorably discharged in 1963 and returned to Wisconsin. Dan was best known as a gifted and talented singer – he could melt the coldest of hearts with his voice and was often times referred to as a “vocal sensation”. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s he recorded four record albums and several singles, making the national charts and the #1 charts in Milwaukee, WI. He performed shows throughout the United States. Dan was well on his way to stardom when he met Joni Russell from Onalaska/LaCrosse, WI. They were married at the White Chapel of the Pines in Las Vegas, NV in the early 1970’s and eventually found their way to the northwoods of Minnesota seeking a simpler life in the Guthrie/Laporte area. They had three sons and were actively involved in their church and community. Dan sang with the Gospel Travelers, bringing joy to all who were fortunate enough to hear him. On August 15, 1979, Dan’s life was turned upside down with the tragic loss of his wife and three sons in a house fire. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Dan sang with Dan Peil and Friends, The Circle Bar Band, which later became known as the Dan Peil Band. Dan sang throughout Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin. In the late 1980’s, he played the 4 state area for Good Music Agency, Inc. out of the Twin Cities. During this time he also was known in the rodeo circuits – he loved his horses and found great pleasure in them. He was a cowboy and country boy at heart. Dan was married briefly in the mid 1980’s and had two beautiful children. In 1988, Dan began a new journey with past friend, Marlene Lindgren, who became his lifelong partner. They were blessed with a son, Daniel Peil, in 1991 while in Denver, CO. Dan loved his family and his life centered around them. He returned to Minnesota, settling on a farm in the Badoura area by Akeley/Nevis. His passion was farming and he loved his horses, dogs, farm animals, fishing, hunting and the outdoors. It was not uncommon to find Dan and Danny standing at the edge of a lake with their fishing poles, out in the woods hunting, riding horse and occasionally getting the hockey skates on. Dan continued his singing at home – making up songs, many times while sitting around a campfire. In the mid 2000’s, Dan moved to Lake George. Cutting firewood became a new hobby, along with spending many hours driving the trails in the area. Dan was so very thankful for how much God had given him and done for him. Dan’s main career was that of a singer. He also worked many different jobs throughout the years, between singing jobs and after leaving the music industry to include: farm and ranch hand, road construction, beet harvest, insurance sales-broker, maintenance positions with Sheplers in Denver, CO and Lamb Weston/RDO in Park Rapids, MN and Green Valley Bean near Osage, MN. Dan also worked in the healthcare field as an orderly, CNA and home health aide in Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Dan had a special place in his heart for the elderly and children with disabilities.

Dan will be lovingly remembered by his soulmate and best friend, Marlene Lindgren of Lake George and their son, Daniel Peil; special baby, Toryn; two sisters: Connie (Lou) Jopek of Menomonie, MI and Trudy Angus of Edgewater, FL; as well as many nieces, nephews; children: Jeremiah, Sarah and Vince; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joni; three sons: Jeremiah, Abraham and Matthew; brother, Gerald (Tommy) Peil; nephew, Scott Angus and his mother and father.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with Pastors Randy Reimer and Pat Spicer officiating. Special music will be “I Can Only Imagine” and “Loving God, Loving Each Other” and Dan’s Recordings: “Home Where I Belong”, “Danny Boy” and “Pray”. Casketbearers will be Robert Lindgren, David Lindgren, Corey Lindgren, Mike Geller, Matt Fullertown and Jeremy Hickerson. Honorary casketbearers will be: Roger Boyce, Randy Jokela, Terry Edwards, Jim Samsa, Mark Hamilton, Billy Tibbetts and Carl Nordquist. Interment will be held at the Nary Cemetery near Bemidji, MN. A luncheon will be hosted for all to attend following the service at the American Legion in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will be held from 5-8:00 P.M. on Friday, January 13, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.