Daniel “Dan” Van Boxtel Obituary (1954 - 2021)

Daniel “Dan” Van Boxtel, age 67, of Boulder City, Nevada, passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021 after a brief battle with cancer. Dan was born and raised on the family dairy farm in Freedom, Wisconsin on February 13, 1954. He was the youngest of eight children born to the late John and Ann (Van Schyndel) Van Boxtel. His love of “working the land” and working with his hands was a continuous thread throughout his life. Within months of graduating from high school, Dan was drafted for service in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. As one of the last draftees, he was proud of the fact that he served his country and was protective of the United States Flag and what it represented. After a stint working in heavy construction, Dan began a long and productive career in facility maintenance, historic preservation, and fire management with the National Park Service. He worked in numerous locations including; Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico); Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas); Friendship Hill and Johnstown Flood National Historic Sites (Pennsylvania); Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley National Park (California, Nevada); and Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Nevada, Arizona), before retiring in 2012. For 30 years, Dan was dedicated to ensuring the cultural and historical places in the National Park Service were cared for and preserved for future generations. Dan met the love of his life, (Mary) Blair Davenport while working at Scotty’s Castle. They were married on March 20, 1992 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dan enjoyed gardening (he was most proud of his tomatoes!), going to the local gun range, wood working, planting and harvesting on friends’ ranches and farms, and traveling. Dan is survived by his wife Blair, Boulder City, NV. He is further survived by his brother and sister-in-law Robert (Nancy) Van Boxtel, Freedom, WI; his sister and brother-in-law Mary Lou (LeRoy) Fritsch, Freedom, WI; and sisters Patricia Hammen, Kaukauna, WI, Elaine Venderhoof, Green Bay, WI, Judy Vermeern, Appleton, WI, and Bonnie Ness, Green Bay, WI. Dan leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Dan was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law Jean (William) Taylor, Milwaukee, WI. In keeping with Dan’s wishes, a private funeral service will take place at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. In lieu of gifts, flowers, or donations, your presence is welcome at a celebration of life to be held at a later date. In the meantime, please raise a glass of beer to Dan’s memory when you think of him!