Daniel R. Conroy

Daniel R. Conroy, age 78, of Naples, Florida passed away Sunday, December 29, 2024 at his residence in Naples.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Fr. John Paul Knopik Celebrant. Organist will be Cindy Sanasack with special music provided by the Ave Maria Catholic Church Choir. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church.

Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Pallbearers will be John Conroy, Mike Conroy, Brian Thuringer, Clayton Conroy and Trent Conroy. Military Rites will be provided by the Merton Dale American Legion Post #80.

Daniel Richard Conroy was born on November 22, 1946 to James and Marjorie Conroy the third Child (2nd Son) of 11 Children (7 boys; 4 girls)

Dan was raised on a farm just West of Dumont, Minnesota. He had the best childhood you could imagine. He attended Walls Township County School for three years, and then transitioned to Pearson Elementary. He worked on his family farm, and then at age fifteen started working with Conroy Road Construction Company as a heavy equipment operator. Daniel graduated Wheaton High School, where he met and married Kathy Bohnenstingl (Daniel & Sandra).

He joined the Army National Guard at age eighteen and served six years with an Honorable Discharge. At age nineteen Dan’s father James Conroy was killed in an auto accident, near Breckenridge, MN resulting in a change in the operation of the Road Construct company. That is when Dan made a career change by starting Chef School at Fargo/Moorehead Vocational Tech. Dan took employment as a Chef at Black Angus Restaurant in Fargo, and soon was promoted to Head Chef. Dan was an excellent chef and was recognized by the John Sexton Company as very knowledgeable and was invited to join their staff as a Commercial Food Sales Representative. He did very well, having the personality that attracted people to him and treated his customers well. He then took a position with PYA Monarch Foods.

After that Dan founded his own food processing plant producing Smoked BBQ Ribs; Smoked Brisket; and Pulled Pork. Dan loved that company which he named DeBarbeque – TheBarenaked Rib Company. In 2004 the company was sold and Dan retired to the South Dakota Ranch on Lake Traverse; the Lake Cabin on Lake Minnetonka, and their home in Naples, Florida.

Dan married Kathie, his former high school classmate, in the year 2000. They both loved to travel and did so. They took a trip around the world by National Geographic jet, to see and experience the Wonders of the World and created many memories. They also loved their motor coach and their Yorkies. Dan and Kathie made and kept many wonderful friends and neighbors that love them and will miss seeing them together.

Dan’s soul is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which Dan confessed to just a few days before he passed from this side to Heaven.

Daniel is survived by Wife Kathie (Wheeler-Fingerhut); son Daniel (Jenny) Conroy, children: Alec, Finn & McKenna; and five grandchildren; daughter Sandra Jezerski (Mark) Sage, son Sawyer.