Means, Daniel E. 1955-2024 Big Lake, Mo.
By NewsPress Now
BIG LAKE, Mo. – Daniel “Dan” Edward Means, 68, of Big Lake, Missouri, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at home.
Dan was born Oct. 16, 1955, in Atchison County, Kansas, the son of John and Joann Means. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Dan married Mary Carter on Dec. 17, 1982, in Mission, Kansas. Mary proceeded him in death on Dec. 12. 2018. To this union they were blessed with two daughters, Renee Grable and Danielle Means-Polachek.
Dan graduated from Manhattan High School, in Manhattan, Kansas, in 1973. He started his college career at Kansas State University where he majored in “skiing at Tuttle Creek” and was an “Aggieville All Star”. He went on to complete his undergraduate studies at Lynchburg College, in Lynchburg, Virginia, on the Dean’s List and earned his Graduate School of Banking, University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Dan started his banking career as a field examiner with the Office Of State Banking Commissioner (Kansas), followed by approximately 40 years with First State Bank of Elwood/Pony Express Community Bank, Elwood, Kansas, as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer. He was also a co-founder of BMS companies and RitePack, in St. Joseph. He was an Eagle Scout, a member of Order of the Arrow and Tribe of Mic O Say. He was a member of Wathena Masonic Lodge #64, Moila Shrine and Royal Order of Jesters.
Despite his many professional accomplishments, his biggest pride in life was his family. Dan’s favorite moments were spent with his Mary at their home on the lake, spending many days and nights surrounded by his daughters and grandchildren playing card games, sharing a cold beer and cheering on the Kansas State Wildcats in whatever sport was in season. Memories floating on the boat, trips to NASCAR races, family vacations, football games in Manhattan and let’s not forget the time spent with his Big Lake and Forest City friends that became family are the fondest of memories that we will hold onto.
Dan is proceeded in death by his parents and his beloved daughter, Danielle Means-Polachek on June 26, 2021.
Survivors include daughter, Renee (Craig) Grable, of Wathena, Kansas; grandchildren, Carter Hundley, Charlie Grable, and Delainie Hundley, all of Wathena, Steven Jr. and Charleigh Polachek, both of Savannah, Missouri; siblings, Carol (Richard) Moreland, of Topeka, Kansas, and Bob (Linda) Means, of St. Joseph; niece and nephews, Brad (Stefanie) Means, Jeff (Andrea) Means, Natalie (Jeffrey) Moreland and Nathan Moreland; several great-nieces and nephews and very special friend, Marilyn Quick, of Forest City, Missouri.
Memorial visitation: Rose Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. immediately followed by visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at the Harman Rohde Funeral Home, in Wathena.
Memorials: family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to the 139th Airlift Wing Family Readiness Center.
There will be a family inurnment at a later date. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
