Daniel Portales

Daniel Alexander Portales, age 21, of Breckenridge, MN made his heavenly journey to Jesus on June 23, 2018, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND. Services honoring Daniel's life will be held on Wednesday, June 27th at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton, ND. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, followed by a prayer service and time of sharing for those affected by this great loss. The celebration of Daniel's life will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, June 28th, at his home church LifePoint  Sanctuary in Moorhead, MN where he attended with his family. Immediately after the service, we will travel to Breckenridge, MN for the interment at Riverside Cemetery. Food will be served afterwards in Chahinkapa Park. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer monetary gifts.

Daniel was born on August 14, 1996 to Raul and Rebecca Portales in Breckenridge, MN. His Dad picked out his name which means "God is my judge", he was thankful for that. The oldest of six brothers, Daniel was excited and joyful each time he became a big brother again, learning many new skills, and caring for them with love. He even thought that we should have more. During his childhood he started attending Church and Sunday School at age 3 and was dedicated to Jesus at age 5 together with his brothers, Dylan and Dustin. When Daniel was 6 years old he received the gift of the Holy Ghost at the ND UPC Church Camp. This was a very special place for him, calling it "Heaven on Earth." Here he made many wonderful memories and grew closer to God in soul and spirit. Daniel wanted to be baptized in the name of Jesus also at age six; he had such a smile coming out of the water. As Daniel grew in Jesus he was able to be involved in Jr. Bible quizzing, learning many verses and earning ribbons and a trophy. Church was a very important part of his life where he was involved in outreach, teaching Sunday School, building maintenance, playing drums, and singing. God placed a call upon him for a purpose at a young age. He enjoyed studying God's word and had a wide collection of ministry books.

Family time was everything to Daniel.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and even though he never got a deer himself, he was bragging on his brothers when they all got one. He also liked to hunt ducks and pheasants.

Some of his first jobs were Kool-Aid and cookie stands, a large newspaper route he split with his brothers, and a lawn mowing business he started with his brother Dylan titled "Tidy Lawns". A job he really enjoyed which he held throughout high school, was working for Grawe's Animal Lures, making snares. Daniel learned construction skills from his Dad and started working for Heitkamp Construction with his Dad, Brother Dylan, and cousins.  He worked for Menards in Dickinson, ND, Pizza Ranch and most recently Masonite of Wahpeton, ND.

During high school Daniel gave a speech in front of the entire school titled "Of frogs and Moral decline," which was a persuasive speech, telling about our need for God in America. He was also involved in Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, Band, Choir, Drama and the Honor Roll.

Daniel had the opportunity to live with his "adopted parents and family" Luke and Aliesha Simons on their ranch in Dickinson, ND where he helped rope and brand his first cow, rode horse in the badlands, went to the Medora musical, had bonfires, camped out under the stars, helped to build a chicken coop made out of railroad ties and enjoy the cowboy life. While living there he attended church and made many lasting friendships with the young people and families. The time he spent there was a true gift.

Throughout his entire life, Daniel was appreciative for time with family and friends. He took many trips to Texas to see his family, and traveled to different church events in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota. He loved Mom's cooking, music, good books, learning new things, being organized, his hat collection, beat boxing, conversation, a good haircut, Mexican food , especially tamales which is learned to make, bonfires and cook outs, and being involved in other people's lives, especially his brothers with whom he found many fun and interesting things to do. One son was born to Daniel; his name is Jaramiah and he loved him dearly. Daniel's last gift of love was choosing to be an organ donor. His gift is saving and benefiting many people's lives. . A physical part of Daniel is with us still. Daniel is a true hero.

The legacy of his life was his love for people and his burden for souls. He taught us what is most important, giving your all to God for others and enjoying the journey together. Accomplishing so much in so few years is nothing short of amazing. Thanks be to God for lending him to us so that we could be a part of his life, he taught us so very much.

Daniel is survived by his son, Jaramiah Smith of Minot, ND; his parents Raul and Rebecca Portales, Breckenridge, MN; his brothers Dylan, Dustin, David, Darron and Dalton; his grandmothers, Adrienne Berg, Breckenridge, MN and Juanita Portales, Crystal City, TX; uncles and aunts, Greg Berg, Hankinson, ND, Kristine and Shay Walden and family of rural Forman, ND, Michelle and Paul Luna and family of Wahpeton, ND, Mary and Jesse Valderama and family ,Crystal City TX,  Antonia and Elias Zambrano and family, Taylor, TX, Christina Portales and family, Petra Rivera and Noe Rivera and family, Eduvina Portales and a special friend, Lori Cisneros and her son, Jerry Lee Cisneros,  all of Crystal City, TX. ND; and many cousins all who he loved dearly; and his church families in Wahpeton ND, Dickinson, ND and Moorhead, MN and many friends who were important to him.

Daniel was preceded in death by his grandpas Herman Portales and Merlin "Mort" Berg and a close cousin Adam Alcozer.

Obituary as submitted by the family.

Daniel's Memorial Folder