Daniel Lee Boltjes

    DANIEL LEE BOLTJES, age 68, of Ellsworth, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Sanford USD Medical Center, in Sioux Falls, SD. He was born on March 9, 1955, in Adrian, to Henry and Bernice (Freob) Boltjes.
    Dan married Lila Odens, his high school sweetheart, on August 30, 1975, at the Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, IA. They lived in the Ellsworth area and were blessed with two daughters, Shari and Lisa

   Dan’s first job was walking beans at 10 years old. His father, Henry, started teaching him how to fix motors at age 12. When he was 13, he began working at Domeyer’s Implement on Saturdays with his father and continued working there until after graduation. After high school, Dan and his brother Jack, bought the Skelly Gas Station in 1975 where they serviced cars. Dan then changed career paths for a couple years and worked for the Ellsworth Lumber Yard, building new homes, many of which were built in Ellsworth. Dan’s passion as a mechanic found it’s way back to him and he and his father started up Boltjes Repair in Ellsworth. They worked side by side for 15 years proudly servicing anything with a motor and selling Dixon lawn mowers. Dan was a wonderful mechanic who could fix anything. After his father’s retirement, Dan decided to close shop and then worked at Domeyer’s Implement and later at Carl’s Farm Store. Dan was then offered an Applicator position for CHS and worked his way up to be an Agronomist. While at CHS, he formed many great relationships and took great care of his farmers and earned Top Salesman for 5 years in a row. Dan retired from his employment in January, 2023.

    In addition to his full-time employment, in 1987, Dan started Eastview Farms by raising livestock. In 1992, him and his father purchased more cattle and began farming ground around rural Ellsworth. Dan showered his daughters with many animals over the years. You would find horses, sheep, chickens, ducks, dogs, and even a pet rabbit living their best life on their acreage. Dan took great pride in taking care of his acreage, raising livestock, baling hay, and farming soybeans and corn. You would never find a weed on their acreage or in his fields! A favorite family memory they all shared was taking the bean bar out every summer and riding beans. Dan was a great stewardship of the farmland and farmed for 32 years.

    Dan was very involved in the Ellsworth community where he was member of the Zion Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder. Dan also served on the Ellsworth Fire Department and Ellsworth School Board for many years, and served on the Grand Prairie Cemetery Board.

    Dan was very knowledgeable and had many talents. He was a jack of all trades. He could repair anything and was excellent at building things. He was always the first one to be called when his family needed help or advice. Dan loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. His greatest joy in life was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved taking his grandchildren fishing, going for golf cart rides around the campground and around Okoboji, and attending his grandchildren’s school events and sporting events. He was always their number one fan. You would always find one, or all, of the grandchildren cuddle up in his lap or holding his hand. They adored him and he adored them.

    Dan is survived by his wife, Lila, Ellsworth; two daughters, Shari (Bruce) Nerison, Sioux Falls, SD; Lisa (Cliff) Lynn, Ellsworth; eight grandchildren, Alexis, Alicia, Brynn and Breanna Nerison, Walker, Bryer, Summer and Jinger Lynn; brothers and sisters, Ann Drenth, Lismore; Mary Kaye (Bill) Truesdell, Sherburn; Tom (Ranae) Boltjes, Baltic, SD; Larry (Laura) Boltjes, Ellsworth; Rose (Ken) Nolte, Pipestone; sister-in-law Jackie Boltjes, Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Bernice Boltjes; parents-in-law Lawrence and Irene Odens; brother Jack Boltjes; niece Jessica Nolte; and a brother-in-law, Gerald Drenth.

    Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, MN and also one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Funeral service will be 10:30 am Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, officiated by Rev. Randy Knuth.  Burial will be at Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth.

   Dingmann Funeral Home, in Adrian, is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Daniel Lee Boltjes, please visit our floral store.