Daniel Neil Barron, 81, of Medford, WI passed away
peacefully at home on February 12 with his beloved family by his side. He was
an amazing husband, father, brother, Marine, educator and friend, and he will
be forever missed.
Dan was born in River Falls, WI on May 16, 1938 to Neil and
Mary (Krulich) Barron. As a child, he spent countless hours hunting small game
and fishing the Kinnickinnic River. This instilled in him a lifelong love of
the outdoors that would eventually inspire a career in Biology and Earth
Science education. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the US Marine
Corp and served his country from 1958 to 1962 in Germany. While there, he met the
love of his life, Helga Cassens, and they married on May 12, 1960 in
Bremerhaven, Germany.
In 1962, he and Helga moved to River Falls, WI where Dan
completed his undergraduate degree at UW River Falls. In 1965, Dan accepted a teaching position at
Medford Senior High School as a Biology and Earth Science teacher, kicking off
a 32-year career in education. Dan
earned his master’s degree from the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City,
South Dakota.
Dan enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and
fisherman. He and his family spent many weekends camping in the Chequamegon
National Forest, hiking, hunting, sitting by the campfire and visiting with
friends. Some of his favorite activities included fishing steelhead on the
Brule River and joining his friends up north for the traditional Wisconsin deer
hunting opener. Dan participated in a competitive archery league for many
years.
After retiring from teaching at Medford Senior High School
in 1997, Dan and Helga established and maintained a successful and
award-winning floral design craft business for more than 20 years, traveling
across the state to art and craft shows selling floral designs that featured
Dan’s hand-carved wooden flowers.
Dan is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helga (Cassens)
Barron, his daughters, Christina Barron-Williams (Denver), Michele
(Christopher) Barron-Albers (St. Cloud), and Heidi Barron (Denver). He is also
survived by four grandchildren, Gabi, Sophie, Nate, and Ian, and one sister,
Tressa Peterson (St. Paul).
Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Mary.
Dan’s family would like to thank Hope Hospice of Medford, WI
for their wonderful and loving care and ask that, in lieu of flowers, any memorials
in Dan’s memory be sent to Hope Hospice as a small gesture of thanks and
appreciation by our family.
A private family service will be held at Fort Snelling National
Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.
Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be left a www.hemerfuneralservice.com.
