Daniel Spear DeVaney

Daniel Spear DeVaney, 94, of Duluth, formerly of Hoyt Lakes, died on Friday, November 1, 2024 at home, surrounded by family at The Crest, Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, Minnesota.

He was born on October 20, 1930 in Rolla, Missouri to Fred and Martha (Spear) DeVaney. Dan was in the Hibbing High School Graduation Class of 1948, with whom he met yearly until 2023. He graduated from the Rolla School of Mines in 1952. He served in the Navy Reserves, then the Army, and was honorably discharged in 1952.

On April 18, 1953 he married Jane Nelimark in Virginia, Minnesota. The couple lived in Grand Rapids and Hibbing before making their home in Hoyt Lakes, where they raised their family. They lived for several years in Wabush, Labrador, Canada and then returned to Hoyt Lakes. Dan worked as a mining engineer throughout his life and was a member of the Engineers Club of Northern Minnesota and the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers. Dan’s father, Fred DeVaney, developed the taconite concentration and pelletizing process used at Erie and Dan was a part of the team that recently wrote a book about the Erie Mining Company

The process of problem-solving and community building appealed to Dan and he built community wherever he went. In Wabush he served on the school board, the White Community Hospital board in Aurora, and many board positions for the United Methodist Church. After retirement he went on to serve United Methodist churches and Ecumen in Duluth as a lay minister.

He and Jane traveled extensively in the U.S., Canada, and the world – visiting Finland three times as well as Norway, Italy, the Czech Republic, Japan, Switzerland, France, England, Scotland, Mexico, and Slovenia where their former exchange student, Janez Funda, lived. They spent many winters in South Padre Island and Fort Meyers Beach and summers at their cabin on the South Kawishiwi River.

In 2018 the couple moved to Duluth to be closer to their children. Jane developed Alzheimer’s and died in 2022. Through a common bond of caretaking and grief, Dan found a partner in Glenda Anderson whom he loved dearly.

Dan was a kind, gentle man who expressed his creativity and curiosity through painting, photography, and love of nature. He was a private pilot and adored flying. He also enjoyed singing, sang in the Men’s Chorus and was member of church choirs throughout his life. Dan loved and was beloved by his many cats.

Dan is survived by his loving partner Glenda Anderson; his children Steve (Debbie) DeVaney of Mora, Deb (Steve Therrien) DeVaney of Superior, Chris DeVaney of Duluth, and Janez Funda who is like a son to him; grandchildren Elizabeth, Daniel, Erin, Noah, Leif, Ian and Michaela; great-grandchildren Oliver, Eireen, Ella, Ollie and Rosie; and sister Nancy (Chuck) Hegelheimer.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jane; his sister Patricia (Dr Richard) Barnes; and his parents, Fred and Martha.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 21 at 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Aurora with a visitation one hour prior. Pastor Barbara Hegfors will officiate. A luncheon will be served at the church following the service with inurnment at the Hoyt Lakes Memorial Cemetery columbarium at 1:30. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert.