His funeral is at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the American Lutheran Church in De Smet.

DE SMET — Daniel LaDean Fox, 70, made his final transition on Monday evening, in De Smet. He was a father, brother, husband, and son who truly embodied what it meant to care for others and be there when it really mattered.

Our hero sadly fought his last battle on August 26, 2024. 

We will remember Dan with love and fondness at his funeral at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the American Lutheran Church in De Smet.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight, Friday, Aug. 30, at the American Lutheran Church in De Smet. We hope to see all the friends and family who can attend to help us remember Dan and the phenomenal man he was and so loved. 

Burial is at LeSeuer Cemetery in Bancroft, following lunch after the service.

Daniel LaDean Fox was born on a cold, wintery day on December 15, 1953, to Darwin and Clara Mae (Korkow) Fox. He grew up on a farm located near Bancroft. He attended elementary and middle school in Bancroft and when the school closed, he transitioned to Iroquois High School. Dan excelled in football, basketball and music.

There were many times where he would be stopped to reminisce about his basketball days. 

Dan attended South Dakota State University in Brookings and University of South Dakota in Vermillion, where he graduated in 1978 with a master’s degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology. Dan was a “people person.” There wasn’t anywhere in South Dakota and surrounding states that he didn’t know someone. Not only did he know them but knew things about that person. He truly cared about people. When asked why he knew so many people, He would say, “When you attend both South Dakota universities it’s nearly impossible not to know most of the state!” 

On August 25, 1979, he married Karen Studer. They welcomed three sons into the world: Caleb Christopher in 1982, Marcus Ian in 1983, and Judd Daniel in 1988. 

After graduation from USD, Dan worked as an audiologist in Fort St. John, BC, Canada. Being that far away from family was difficult for Dan and in 1982, they moved to Wilmar, Minn. 

In 1984, it was time to come back to the farm and ranch. He wanted his sons to grow up on the farm and know the value of hard work and perseverance. He also worked part time at the Huron Regional Medical Center as an audiologist. 

In April of 2007, Dan suffered a debilitating stroke. He lived on the farm with his son Judd until he moved to the Good Samaritan Home in De Smet. 

Family and friends, his children Caleb, Marcus and Judd all looked up to him while he lifted the world’s weight off their shoulders. Nobody was there more than Dan if anybody had a problem or something they were struggling with.

His family was the only thing Dan loved more than farming, ranching and riding a horse like the wind. Oftentimes, even more than himself, Dan never put anything above family. Nobody can fill Dan’s shoes, but we know he will always be with us, watching over us. 

Daniel is survived by his parents, Darwin and Clara Mae Fox; his wife Karen; sons: Caleb (Dana Tribble), Marcus (Elizabeth Bannister Fox), and Judd (Sarah Blue); a sister, Darla Kuiper and grandchildren: Teddy Blue, Evelyn Gloria Fox, Bella Tribble and Daria Fox. 

He is preceded in death by his brother, William Fox; grandparents, John and Mollie Fox, and William and Ruth Korkow. 

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