LObituary/Dan Kenneth Heppner, 77

Dan Kenneth Heppner passed away on June 24, 2026, at the age of 77.

Dan was born on October 22, 1948, to Peter and Katharina Heppner. As a boy, he moved with his family to rural Warroad, where he attended school. He enjoyed hockey, sheep-shearing competitions, and farm life with his eight siblings.

Dan attended Oak Hills Bible College in Bemidji, where he met and fell in love with Gail Roswold. They married on May 25, 1968, bought a farm north of Williams, and raised their family there. From the beginning, Dan’s passion was livestock, and his farming supported his work with sheep, dairy cattle, and beef cattle.

While running the farm, Dan and Gail built a home in Warroad in 1987 and enrolled their five children in Warroad schools, where the family embraced the close-knit hockey community. They loved watching their three sons play youth and high school hockey, and Dan was especially proud to see all three compete in the state high school hockey tournament.

In addition to farming, Dan drove school bus for the Warroad School District for many years.

Dan was a faithful, active member of Woodland Bible Church in Warroad.

After Gail passed away from cancer in 2005, Dan began a new chapter in Karlstad, Minnesota. He married Bev Folland on October 14, 2006, and moved his cattle operation to her family farm outside Karlstad.

Together, Dan and Bev shared nearly 20 years rooted in community, family, farming, and faith.

Over the years, Dan was deeply involved in AI breeding and preparing show stock, often including his children and grandchildren. County fairs, state fairs, and cattle shows were among his favorite activities.

Above all, Dan’s greatest love was his personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. From childhood until his passing, his faith defined his life. He shared it with friends, family, and strangers during road trips and travels, and he offered life lessons and spiritual encouragement to his children and grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of faith for generations to follow.

Dan is survived by his wife, Beverley Heppner of Karlstad; five children, Tami (Darvis) Russell of Karlstad, Ted (Paula) Heppner of Mora, Peter (Lynn) Heppner of Hugo, Wendy (Ben) Downey of Zimmerman, and Josh (Rachel) Heppner of Isanti; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a second family of more than 40 Follands; and siblings, Kathy Atneosen, Beverly Enns, Marilyn Heppner, Pamela (Dennis) Haug, Steven (Joan) Heppner, and SaraNell (Clark) Jelly.

Dan was preceded in death by his first wife, Gail Heppner; his sister, Rosa Simington; and his brother, John Heppner.

Dan also leaves behind many other family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at Resurrection Community Church in Karlstad, Minnesota, with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. A private family burial will follow at Silent City Cemetery in Roosevelt, Minnesota. Arrangements by Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock.