Daniel Paul Zurn

Daniel Paul Zurn, 47, passed away at home on October 14, 2025, after battling a fast aggressive genetic disorder, affecting his blood that could not be stopped in time for his body to recover.

Dan was born on July 1, 1978, at St. Ansgar hospital in Moorhead, MN to Paul and Marcelle (House) Zurn. They brought him home to Casselton, ND, on the 4th of July, during the night there was a very severe thunderstorm. Little did they know that would set the tone for Dan's journey through life. Just like strong ever-changing winds, bright flashes of light and thunderous booms, Dan was a spirited and adventurous child. There were many wild activities as he grew up in the countryside of Amenia, ND, with his younger sister, cousins, and neighbor kids.

As soon as Dan could hold a fishing pole, he wanted to go. Both his Grandpa Zurn and Grandpa House would take him whenever they could, with that being his favorite thing to do. Another past time activity was tinkering with mechanical things, which led him into working at two of his favorite jobs, Sugar Sand manufacturing, building jet boats, and Odegaard Wings, building wings for P-51 Mustang airplanes. Other companies he worked for included his mother's plastics factory for creating products to build fireworks, Magnum Trucking, John Deere, Dakota Milling & Blending, and most recently Sign Solutions in the 3-D sign department. Truly, he would rather be fishing. After Grandpa Zurn passed on, Dan had the pleasure of inheriting the 14ft Lund boat, unleashing the next round of adventures and his affection for nature and the outdoors. From fishing the glorified water holes of ND, to the lakes of MN, if he could go he would. Dan took several trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota to spend a week off the grid, portaging, and camping. In the meantime, he met the one who he would settle down with, and his own family would start.

In 2015 Dan married Naomi (Wilebski) and together they had 2 amazing boys, Emery and Harrison.

Dan's favorite activities with his boys were riding bike, camping, shooting off fireworks, playing video games, playing board games, building Legos and constructing pine wood derby cars for Cub Scouts. Most of all he absolutely loved bringing his sons swimming and fishing for crappies, on the 14 foot Lund, at his treasured lake White Earth.

Now the time has come, rest easy Dan, the storm is over.

Dan is survived by his two young boys, Emery and Harrison Zurn, ex-wife Naomi, his parents Paul and Marcy Zurn, and sister Faye (Matt) Schnell.