Daniel E Nienaber

Daniel Edward Nienaber, 1966-2016

Career newspaperman, husband and father Daniel Edward Nienaber died January 18, 2016, at his home. Dan was born August 15, 1966, in Minneapolis, Minn., to Harry and Mary (Gantner) Nienaber. Following high school graduation Dan served in the U.S. Navy. He was honorably discharged in 1988. Dan enrolled at St. Cloud State University, where he met his wife, Julie, and graduated with a degree in mass communications in 1993.

Dan and Julie Keltgen were married June 20, 1992, in Olivia, Minn. They moved to Belle Fourche, S.D., in 1993 where Dan covered general news for the Belle Fourche Post and won Best News Story award in the 1994 South Dakota Newspaper Association contest. Dan took a job at The Chronotype in Rice Lake, Wis., in 1994, and in 1996 to Stevens Point, Wis., where Dan was a reporter for the Journal. Dan and Julie moved to Willmar, Minn., in 1997. Dan went to work for the West Central Daily Tribune. He won the first place award in the Minnesota Associated Press Association contest for Continuing News Coverage as well as the Newswriting Sweepstakes award in 1999. Dan has covered public affairs and other news beats since joining the Mankato Free Press in 2000. He won first place in the Best Social Issues Social Story category from the Minnesota Newspaper Association in 2006. Dan received many awards throughout his career in journalism, including those from the Society of Professional Journalists and the CNHI News Service, and two in this last difficult year of his life. Free Press Managing Editor Joe Spear will accept the awards on Dan’s behalf at the Minnesota Newspaper Association Conference later this month. 

Throughout his life, Dan was a dedicated hockey fan. He was especially loyal to the St. Cloud State University Huskies, and enjoyed camping, hiking and motorcycling with Julie. He also relished attending his children’s many sporting and academic activities. Dan loved his family. He especially enjoyed preparing their meals and taking annual vacations. 

Survivors include Dan’s wife, Julie, of Mankato; son, Neil Nienaber, and daughter, Laura Nienaber, both of Mankato; parents Harry and Mary Nienaber of Marshfield, Wis.; brothers Dave (Tammy) Nienaber of Minneapolis, Minn., and Tom (Joy) Nienaber of Marshfield, Wis.; mother-in-law Beverly Keltgen of Olivia, Minn; sisters and brothers-in-law Jaciel (Jim Weisenhorn) Keltgen of Tea, S.D., Jeff Keltgen of Olivia, Minn., Janelle Keltgen of Champaign, Ill., Jean (Lyle) Marcus of Osage, Minn., Jo Keltgen of Wellington, Fla., Jerilyn Keltgen of Willmar, Minn., and many nieces, nephews, one great niece and two great-nephews. Dan was preceded in death by father-in-law, Keith Keltgen, brother-in-law, James Keltgen, and niece, Emilia Keltgen.

A memorial gathering is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, from 2-5 p.m. at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato, Minn. Special memories will be shared at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the Nienaber family requests that memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society or St. Cloud State University Athletics in Dan’s name.