Daniel Tehle

Daniel “Dan” Tehle Sr., 77, Westminster, Colorado, formerly of Wahpeton, ND died on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at St. Anthony’s North, Westminster, Co. The Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 18 at 2:00 P.M. at St. John’s Catholic Church, Wahpeton, ND with Rev. Dale F. Lagodinski officiating. Visitation will be at the church with the family from 1:00-2:00 P.M. Inurnment will be held at Calvary Cemetery , Wahpeton.

Daniel Joseph Tehle was born on March 19, 1932, at Breckenridge , MN to Cyril and Irene (Haley) Tehle. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School, Breckenridge and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1950. He continued his education at the North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND, and Moorhead State College, Moorhead , MN . Dan entered the United States Air Force on August 11, 1951, and was honorably discharged on November 4, 1954. He married Donna Heitkamp on October 7, 1956, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Wahpeton, ND. The couple raised their two sons in Wahpeton, ND where “Dan” was employed by the Wahpeton Public School System for 38 years. He obtained his Masters Degree at North Dakota State University , Fargo . His employment in the school system consisted of educator, coach, High School Principal and Superintendent of Schools. His wife Donna died on April 12, 1980, and he later married Anastasia “Stacy” White on November 7, 1981. He continued with the Wahpeton School System until his retirement in 1995 . He spent his retirement in Fergus Falls , MN for 9 years and the past 5 years at Westminster , Colorado . Dan was one of the very few individuals that were fortunate to have found two “special people” in one lifetime with Donna and Stacey. He considered himself blessed to have shared his life with each of these two amazing people.

Dan was a past member of the North Dakota High School Activities Association, Wahpeton Elks, Kiwanis, Hafner-Miller-Ross American Legion Post No. 20, Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Breckenridge, MN, St. John’s Catholic Church, Wahpeton, ND and St. Mark’s Church, Westminster, CO. He enjoyed coaching all sports including football, basketball, softball and golf. His outdoor hobbies were fishing, hunting and camping. Dan was most proud of the fact that he was able to influence so many young lives, whether it was through coaching basketball, teaching Red Cross Swimming, or in his US History class; he truly loved “his” kids. He commented that his only regret when promoted to Superintendent in the Wahpeton School District that he did not have the opportunity to be with the kids. He will be missed by the many he came in contact with throughout his educational career.

He will be sadly missed by his loving family; his wife “Stacy”, Westminster, CO, two sons; Daniel Jr. ( Karen) Tehle, Fargo, ND and Paul (Tammy) Tehle, Walcott, ND, his step-children, Debra (Cory) Mulvaney, Fargo, ND, Kathleen (David) Reed, Westminster, CO and Scott (Angie) White, Arvada, CO., two brothers; David (Cheryl) Tehle, Fargo, ND, Ray (Jean) Tehle, Timber Lake, SD; and 13 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Irene Tehle, his wife, Donna Tehle in 1980 and an infant brother, James.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND. Visit our Online Guestbook at www.vertinmunson.com