Daniel Lee Schneekloth

Daniel Schneekloth, age 38, of Ghent, Minnesota, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at his home. Memorial Services are 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 9, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 8, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will then continue one hour prior to his celebration, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, also at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Luverne Hockey Club (checks can be made payable to Luverne Hockey Club, C/O Ashley Kurtz - Treasurer, and mailed to PO Box 865, Luverne, MN 56156). Thank you.

Daniel Lee Schneekloth was born on November 21, 1985, in Luverne, Minnesota. He was the son of Terry and Jean (Sour) Schneekloth. From a very young age, Dan was drawn to the outdoors. He was astounded by nature and soaked up knowledge about fishing, hunting, and wildlife from any source he could. On family car trips as a kid, Dan sat in the back seat of the family minivan reading outdoor magazines and only speaking up when he spotted a deer in the tree line.

Dan enjoyed playing hockey from his youth through high school and held on to many life-long friends that began as hockey teammates.

Dan was most at peace when fishing, hunting, hiking, or kayaking. He enjoyed multiple fishing trips to Canada. Even after the group had been out on the lake all day, Dan would take out the canoe after dinner on his own to catch a few more.

After graduating from Luverne High School in 2004, he attended South Dakota State University and graduated with a Wildlife & Fisheries degree. He simply couldn’t get enough. His distinct dimple was the most noticeable when he was posing with a fish or big buck, of which he tagged many.

Although always the protective big brother, Dan’s love for his family reached a new level when his first niece, Zayda, was born. His nieces and nephew were his ultimate pride and joy and the tenderness he showed them made each of them feel seen and special. He loved them unconditionally and wanted to serve them the world on a platter. When asked about his life plan, he would slyly share his expectation to win the lottery and buy his niece Elyza her own horse ranch. He bought his nieces a tiny pink bow, taught them how to shoot, and raise their hands in the air when their arrow hit the cardboard target. His nephew, Cruz, shared a special bond with him and inherited his natural love of animals, nature, and fishing.

Dan was quiet, gentle, and smart. He had a creative mind and thought deeply about a variety of topics. He was well known to be a minimalist and enjoyed the simple side of life. He chose not to get caught up in “first world problems” and dreamed of living off the land in a remote mountain location where he would hunt, fish, and grow his own food.

Daniel Schneekloth, age 38, of Ghent, Minnesota, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. He had reached the age of 38 years, 9 months, and 13 days. His organ donations will help up to 75 recipients, including a young boy in the burn unit. His soul is now flying free and we are finding comfort knowing he is at peace.

He is survived by his father, Terry (and Denise) Schneekloth of Marshall; mother, Jean Sour of Harrisburg, SD; sisters, Tracy (and Zach) Wysong of Harrisburg, SD, Sarah (and Devon) Wilson of Bloomington; nieces and nephew, Zayda, Elyza, and Cruz Wysong; grandmother, Betty Sour of Hazel, SD; step-siblings, Josh (and Marie) Brewers of Burnsville; Ashley (and Jesse) Smallfield of Sioux Falls, SD, Nicole Brewers of Marshall; many cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Dan was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Lester & Norma Schneekloth; maternal grandfather, Charles “Chuck” Sour; and three uncles, Steve Schneekloth, John Schneekloth, and Ron Evans.