Obituary of Marc Richard McDaniels

Marc Richard McDaniels

1970 - 2022

Marc Richard McDaniels of Plymouth passed away on January 20th, 2022 at the age of 51 while bravely battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Marc graduated from Armstrong High School, Augsburg University and served in the US Army Reserves.

Marc lived and loved with an intense passion and contagious joy. He craved adventure and pushed boundaries in all areas of his life. Marc found ultimate happiness with his girls, wife Annie and daughters Allie, Sydney and Morgan. “It is because of them that he fought so hard through all the struggles he endured during his cancer journey,” said Kelly Lande, Marc’s sister. Marc loved his girls fiercely and grounded them with his classic tokens of fatherly advice including, “boys are dumb until they’re 29.”

Marc’s wit was dangerously sharp. His smile was infectious and his laughter memorable. Marc could command a room and also connect with a single individual in a way that has left so many of us devastated, but thankful to have been in Marc’s warm, witty and loving orbit.

Marc’s role as protector to his girls was preceded by his reputation as an adrenaline junkie. Marc loved the outdoors and any experience that included risk. He climbed Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams and lit up while soaking in outdoor activities during his time living in Seattle and Boise. Marc preferred to ski the steepest mountains and carved hills in Montana, Lake Tahoe and Colorado. His love of the slopes and speed wasn’t limited to skiing. He was also known to take his mountain bike up north to Lutsen Mountain, ride the chairlift to the top while holding onto his bike and ride the single track down at top speed. Marc also loved SCUBA diving as evidence by the oxygen tanks still stored in the garage. Ironically, during his career working for various insurance companies, he had the opportunity to indoor sky dive, bobsled on the Olympic track in Salt Lake City and test the limits on racetracks around the country. Ultimately, it didn’t matter if it was a car, snowmobile or dirt bike, if it had a throttle, Marc had it at full tilt. Same with his music. He liked it loud.

As a true Minnesotan, raised in Golden Valley, Marc also loved hockey. It started as a little tyke, skating at Hampshire Park, which was kitty corner from his childhood home. His love to skate continued into adulthood, when like clockwork, “the itch” would return every winter. He’d declare that he had to get out on the ice, often heading down to his favorite rink, Klapprich, in Wayzata. After his diagnosis, in August of 2020, Marc made a goal to get back on the ice, and he did, the Saturday before he passed.

Marc also loved a good bonfire and conversation with family and friends. He set big goals. He tested the limits and had the confidence to accomplish the unimaginable because of his strong faith and long-held mantra (from Napoleon Hill) “What(ever) the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

In his too-short lifetime, Marc lived fearlessly. He played hard, he loved hard and he left a permanent mark on his family and the many, many people who called him friend.

Marc is preceded in death by parents Louise and Richard McDaniels. He is survived by his wife Annie, daughters Allie (16), Sydney (13) and Morgan (11), his brother Craig (Laurie) McDaniels, sister Kelly (Doug) Lande, and many beloved family and friends.

A memorial service will be held 4:00pm on August 18, 2022 at Woodridge Church, 1500 County Rd 24, Medina, MN with a reception following. A livestream will also be available on the Woodridge website.