Obituary: Dan Hunsaker
Author: Family of Dan Hunsaker
Dan Hunsaker
Family of Dan Hunsaker
Dan Jex Hunsaker passed away peacefully on November 15, 2023, in Townsend surrounded by family.
Dan was born in Honeyville, Utah on March 21, 1927, to LeGrande and Rachel A Harper Hunsaker. He was the 8th child of 11. Dad grew up in Honeyville, Utah.
Dad joined the Navy when he was 15. He was large for his age and joined without the consent of his parents. When the Navy realized his age, his dad had to sign papers so he could continue his service. He served in WWII on the USS Curtiss.
He met his lifelong companion, Ruth Hansen, at the dentist's office where she was working as a dental assistant. They were married 68 years at the time of Mom’s passing in 2016. They moved to the ranch in Crow Creek Valley in 1949. He ranched/farmed till age 90, then continued helping his grandson with the haying and cutting grain for several more years.
Dad’s passion was farming and ranching and growing his “crop” of kids. He loved taking his family for rides to check the cattle. He loved taking us on picnics, sledding in the snow and ice skating in the field which he flooded to make a pond for us kids. He loved horses and his dogs. He enjoyed the simple things in life. Dad’s idea of a night out was to go to dinner for a big steak.
Dan was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Mom were sealed for time and eternity on June 30, 2012, in the Billings temple.
Dad was an honest, trustworthy, hardworking man. He had a very loud voice which was intimidating, and a very tender heart. He saw so many changes during his lifetime, such as going from no phone to party lines, to landlines, to cell phones, from no protection from the elements when farming to enclosed cabs with air conditioning.
He and Mom raised 8 children. Jex, Linda, Jeanie, DeeDee (Arnold), Dixie (Vince), Holly (Troy), Delbert (Joan), and Tracy (Lori). He has 23 grandkids, 50 great-grandchildren, and 10 great, great grandchildren.
He is survived by 7 of his 8 children, daughter-in-law Joan Hunsaker, sister-in-laws Toni Pray and Cathy Hansen and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 68 years, Ruthie, his gentle giant son, Delbert, 8 brothers and 2 sisters.
Dad lived a long, full life. Dad had many more memorable adventures during his lifetime.
Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 25th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 916 Broadway in Townsend.
Graveside services will follow at Deep Creek Cemetery.
A reception will follow the burial in the fellowship hall of the church.
Please visit https://www.stevensonwilke.com to offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of Dan.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Dan Hunsaker Family
Image 1 Caption: Dan Hunsaker
Photo Credits: Dan Hunsaker Family
Image 2 Caption: Dan Hunsaker in the Navy
Photo Credits: Dan Hunsaker Family
