Daniel Spanier

Daniel L. Spanier, age 59 of Spring Hill, died after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at his home in Spring Hill, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 10 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Daniel Leo Spanier was born March 6, 1955 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Andrew and Mildred (Stalberger) Spanier. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1973 and shortly after graduating, took over the family farm. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Fuchs on April 4, 1977 at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry. He purchased his own semi in 1998 to haul his grain and his neighbor's grain. Daniel loved the farm. Daniel farmed until he received the diagnosis of cancer on October 1, 2014.

He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill, Catholic United Financial, and the St. Michael's Men's Society. Daniel enjoyed playing cards, golfing, and making frequent visits to Lake Henry Body Shop and the Greenwald Farm Center. Daniel loved spending time with his grandkids, especially taking them camping, giving them tractor rides, and buying them candy bars. He also enjoyed watching the Minnesota Gophers, Twins, and Vikings on television.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Spanier of Spring Hill; three sons, Chad (Laura) Spanier of Brooten, Chris (Kim) Spanier of Inver Grove Heights, and Curt (Jennifer) Spanier of Spring Hill; seven grandchildren, Ethan, Andrew, Daniel, Elliot, Alex, Aiken, Bailey, and grandchild number eight due in May; brothers and sisters, Kathy (Jim) Fuchs of Lake Henry, Mary Jo (Kevin) McKenzie of Avon, Brien (Kristine) Spanier of Minneapolis, and Bruce Spanier of St. Louis Park; and father-in-law, Lester Fuchs of Paynseville.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Mildred Spanier; sister-in-law, Darlene Fuchs; niece, Amy Lieser; and mother-in-law, Irene Fuchs.

Serving as casket bearers will be Greg Lieser, Jay Lieser, Doug Fuchs, Brian Fuchs, Matt Fuchs, Mike Fuchs, Nicholas Hemmesch, Jay Hemmesch, and Joey Pelzer. Cross bearer will be Daniel Spanier and scripture bearer will be Ethan Spanier. Honorary bearers will be Daniel's friends and card playing friends.