Dan A. Otonichar

Visitation for Dan A. Otonichar, 69, of Mt. Iron, Minnesota will be Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 10am-12:30pm at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert.  Current COVID mandates including masking will be followed.  Graveside burial service will be 1pm Thursday in the Lakeside Cemetery in Biwabik, Minnesota with Mary Lou Sixberry officiating.

Dan died suddenly on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at his home in Mt. Iron.

He was born September 15, 1951 in Virginia, Minnesota to Anthony and Helen “Jean” (Matson) Otonichar. Dan was a 1969 graduate of Gilbert High School and later received his Bachelors Degree in elementary education from Bemidji State University.  He began his teaching career in Lyle, Minnesota where he taught sixth grade, driver’s education and served as acting principal.

On August 10, 1973 he married Rhonda Brown in Biwabik, Minnesota.  In 1978 they returned to the Iron Range and Dan began working at Inland Steel.  He retired from Arcelor Mittal in mining operations.

Dan enjoyed fishing, cooking and time spent at the cabin on the lake.  He was faithful at attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events and during the summer enjoyed giving the grandkids rides on the pontoon and jet skis.  He was a talented wood worker who enjoyed making furniture.

Survivors include his wife, Rhonda; children: Corey (Elisha) Otonichar of Chisholm and Breiann (Charles) Simon of Virginia; grandchildren: Kobe, Kirsten, Christopher, Natalie and Kaylee; sisters: DeeAnn (Larry) Lindholm of Mt. Iron and Debra Otonichar of McKinley.

He is preceded in death by their first born daughter, Amy Marie and his parents, Tony and Jean.