Daniel Ustipak
Daniel Ustipak, 93, of Deerwood rejoined his Lord and Savior in heaven on October 12, 2020.
He was born in Crosby on September 27, 1927, at the home of his parents Dan and Anna “Annie” Ustipak. Daniel joined the United States Navy after his graduation from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1945. His hunting background and steady hand helped him be top marksman of 1500 recruits. He also placed at the top of his basic engineering class opening him to many military options. His service was shortened when a priest helped him secure a hardship discharge to return home to support his family as his father was ill with miner’s silicosis. He married the love of his life, Lorraine Larson, on July 8, 1950. Daniel applied his many talents and his perfectionist nature to a variety of jobs from being a painter to carpenter, and master mechanic to surveyor. With his work for the Hanna mining companies and Zontelli Brothers he had a vast knowledge of the mining operations on the Cuyuna Range. Daniel and his wife owned and operated the Midway Bar in Crosby while he built his family’s home on Serpent Lake. As a self-taught, industrious man he studied to become realtor/broker of his own company Dan Ustipak Realty. He always had a ready smile, a hug, and a story to tell. His outgoing personality and interest in people established many valued friendships over the decades.
Daniel was a devoted family man and enjoyed spending time with them sharing his knowledge, eating meals, hunting, fishing, camping, working on home and mechanical projects, attending youth hockey games and all the family celebrations. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling with his wife, his children and grandchildren on many different trips from Hawaii to Alaska, from the western mountain regions and Arizona deserts to the Florida beaches, from Canada to all across Europe.
Left to cherish the many wonderful memories of an adored father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend are his daughter Jeanne (Ryck) Simmonds of Ironton; his three sons Rod (Teri) Ustipak of Brainerd, Tom Ustipak of Burnsville, Jon (Cheryl) Ustipak of Stillwater; 6 grandchildren Daniel (Jennifer) Simmonds, Michael (Rachel) Simmonds, Bret (Emily) Ustipak, Kelsi (Peter Hollander) Ustipak, Michelle Ustipak and Daniel Ustipak; 6 great grandchildren Ethan, Ada, Isabel, Abigail and Emily Simmonds, and Aurelio Ustipak; two sisters Mary Ann Lindgren and Mildred Plank; numerous nieces and nephews as well as his beloved faith family at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby. At the end he wished each and everyone much happiness.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Lorraine; his brothers Joe Vukelich, Mike Vukelich and Milo Ustipak; his sisters Amelia Vukelich and Anne Henderson. Dan requested there be no funeral service instead he wanted his 90th birthday to be his celebration of life. A private family memorial will be held at his home.
If you are so moved please consider a memorial donation to one of Daniel’s favorite charities the Sunshine Ministry, an outreach program, that he started at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 600 Fourth Street SW, Crosby, MN 56441 or the Cuyuna Range Food Shelf, Box 33, Crosby, MN 56441.