Dan was born in Melrose, Minnesota, on June 17, 1949, to Frank and Eleanore Wiechmann. The middle of seven children, he grew up on their family farm in Saint Rosa.

Dan was drafted into the US Army, serving from 1969 to 1971. He spent one year in Vietnam and earned several medals for bravery.

When he was discharged, Dan worked at Dairy Craft in St. Cloud while starting a sod business. He met Sue, his future wife, and they married in 1973. They welcomed son, Josh, in 1977 before moving to Brainerd in 1978. Dan and Sue went on to welcome two daughters, Julie in 1979 and Jackie in 1982. In 1978, the sod company building burned to the ground, but Dan rebuilt.

From 1982 to 1987, Dan worked at SuperValu in Hopkins while he continued to grow his sod business. In August 1991, the family moved to a hobby farm in Brainerd. Then in early 1992, Dan received his first cancer diagnosis and underwent a laryngectomy. He started Moonlite Nursery that same year. He had a great aptitude for numbers, business, and investments.

In 2006, Dan and Sue sold their hobby farm, relocated the business, and moved out to their Bonnie Lake home in Merrifield. Dan then retired in 2017.

His second cancer diagnosis occurred in early 2023. He fought for three years, until his death in the comfort of his own home on February 1, 2026.

Throughout his life, Dan worked hard, but he also made time for fun. He loved spending time with his four grandchildren and his dog Captain. He also enjoyed watching Westerns, playing cards with his friends at the hunting camp, and wintering in Marco Island, Florida.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Richard, sister-in-law Millie, two nephews and one niece. He is survived by his wife, Sue; his three children, Josh (Angie) Wiechmann, Julie (Ted) Otto, and Jackie (Brandon) Cizek; four grandchildren, Joey, Cassidy, Colt, and Lila; and brother Pat Wiechmann, sister Cecilia (Ervin) Bauer, sister-in-law Alice Wiechmann, sister Rosie (Bernie) Sprenger, sister Susie (Roger) Stoermann, and brother Michael (Brenda) Wiechmann.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Dan's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake. Family and friends are invited to gather beginning at 9:30 a.m. and to join in a celebration after Mass at the American Legion in Brainerd. Private family interment.