He attended grade schools in Plover and Mallard, Iowa. He graduated from Concordia Academy at St. Paul in 1964 and from Concordia College, St. Paul with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968. Pastor attended Concordia Theological Seminary at Springfield, Illinois and graduated from there with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in May, 1972.

His year of vicarage was spent at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Owatonna, Minnesota. Upon graduation from the seminary Pastor Dan accepted the call to serve God's people at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Rushmore, Minnesota (1972-1975).

Pastor was united in marriage with Pamela Ruth Lemke, daughter of Rev. & Mrs. Ervin Lemke, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 28, 1969. Pam is a graduate of Concordia College, St. Paul with a major in Elementary Education. Pastor and Pam have been blessed with three children, Scott, Paul and Julie and six grandchildren, Ryan, Drew, Tyler, Kathryn, Emma and Rese. Pam is the director of our Preschool/Child Care Program at Prince of Peace.