Dan Charles Sudrla passed away on September 25th, 2025, surrounded by his children. Dan was born May 17, 1947, in Parkston South Dakota, Son of Charles (Karl) Sudrla and Pearl (Anna) Margret (Helling) Sudrla.  He attended Mitchell Public School, graduating in 1965. Dan participated in football, track and was a member of the 1964 Class A State Basketball team. Dan went on to graduate from Black Hills State College with a BS in Math Education and began a teaching career soon after.  He married Mary McLeod and moved to Nicollet, MN where he was a high school math teacher and enjoyed coaching football and girls’ basketball.  Mary and Dan started a family and had four children (Brian, Amy, Susie, Bobby). Follow his teaching career, Dan worked for Farm System Inc. of MN, then became an Agent for Farm Bureau Insurance. In 1994, the family was able to move back home to Mitchell, SD where Dan was able to take a new position with Farm Bureau Mutual.  He finished his working career as an employee of Davison County with many responsibilities (mostly outside of his job description) but made many good friends along the way. (That one is for you dad!) 

Dan retired as soon as he possibly could to enjoy a life of golf, beer and buffalo wings but also spent much of his time giving back to his community as a volunteer for Meal on Wheels and as an active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Dan was a man of strong faith and moral compass. He was a person who always tried to embody the character, attitude, and actions of Jesus, focusing on love, grace and gratitude, and service to others.  

Dan’s greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren, Sadie, Lola and Charlie. If you ran into Dan, you often would have had to look at pictures and listen to stories about his recent adventures with them. Even in the final stages of Dementia, it was always his grandchildren he recognized, called by name and lit up as soon as they entered the room.  

In 2021, Dan moved to MN to be closer to his children.  For 2 years, he lived in Becker, MN with his oldest son, Brian where we all enjoyed many laughs following their adventures on Facebook.  Dan was most grateful to have this time with Brian “his favorite”, who he shared his sense of humor the most.   

His last 2 years, Dan lived at The Legacy of St. Michael Assisted Living and Memory Care.  Dan’s children would like to express their overwhelming gratitude to the staff and leadership at the Legacy who embraced all their father’s charm, silliness and shenanigans.  The care and love he received was evident by his continued quality of life.  We also thank you for all the stories you shared the last few days of his life with us. We will carry those stories with us always. 

Dan was preceded in death by both set of grandparents, his parents Charles and Pearl, his big sister Rosemary (Sudrla) Ryan, his best friend Howard McCorkell, and his best fur friend Ginger, who will join Dan in his final resting plot at the Mitchell cemetery.  

Dan is survived by his sister Carol and Husband Dick Wire. His Children, Brian Sudrla, Amy Sudrla (and Spouse Rachael Masson), Susie Haben (and Spouse Willie Haben, and grands Sadie, Lola, Charlie) and Bob Sudrla (spouse Julia Sudrla).   

In Dan’s words, “My greatest blessing was my children, I was very proud of the people they have become. I enjoyed life thanks to my loving children and great friends and family. I loved life and was not afraid of death and eternal life!  Love you all!” 

Funeral Services for Dan will be on November 7th, 2025, at 1:00pm at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 214 N 3rd Mitchel, SD with a private family burial following. From 3:00pm-5:00pm, we welcome everyone to Celebrate Dan’s Life with wings and beer at Bradley’s Pub & Grille, 514 N Main St. Mitchell, SD.