Dan Hirschey

Daniel James Hirschey passed away peacefully at home on June 7th, 2026.

Dan was born April 19th 1944 in Bertha MN to Clifford and Eleanor (Lenk) Hirschey. As a young boy he attended country school and graduated from Staples High School in 1962. Following high school Dan began working at a machine shop in Minneapolis as a toolmaker. He joined the Army shortly thereafter and proudly served his country while spending time in Germany. When returning from his military service, Dan continued working as a toolmaker in Minneapolis and then moved back to his hometown when his employer, McCourtney Plastics (McKechnie Tooling & Engineering), opened their new plant in Staples where he ultimately retired as Plant Manager after 38 years with the company. In 1971 Dan bought a hobby farm in rural Staples and married Donella (Craft) Hirschey that same year. Together they raised two children, Tiffany and Trent.

In 1999 Dan was united in marriage to Janice (Hanych). Dan and Janice enjoyed almost 27 years of marriage together and loved their annual trips to Duluth as well as visiting friends in Florida to escape for a warmup during MN winters. Dan especially enjoyed the deer hunting season, with everyone coming together at the farm for the annual harvest in hopes of getting the Big One. You could most often find Dan in “the shop” on his recliner with his beloved cat Missy, reading western novels and ready to offer a cold beer to anyone who stopped by. He cherished his visits with friends and neighbors and always had a good story or joke to tell.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Janice; daughters Tiffany Hirschey-Tuma (Brian) of Pillager MN, Regina Smith (Jason) of West Jordan Utah, and son Trent Hirschey of Motley MN; six grandchildren: Logan Hirschey of Motley MN, Addison Kent (Robin) of Ogden UT, Emily Smith (Shay) of Payson UT, Hannah Page (Tim) of Tooele UT, Hunter Smith and Andrew Smith of West Jordan Utah; three great-grandchildren; brothers John Hirschey (Andy), Perham MN, Bradley Hirschey (Peg), Staples MN; and sister, Carol Greer (Freddy), Blaine MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Jerome Hirschey.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 11:00am at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. There will be a visitation held one hour prior to the start of the service at the church. Lunch will be served following the service.