Daniel Dacar

Daniel Lawrence Dacar, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025, in Bismarck, North Dakota, at the age of 76. Born on June 21, 1948, in Dickinson, North Dakota, Daniel was a cherished son of Frank and Evelyn (Papka) Dacar. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Dacar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 22, at Church of St. Anne, 1321 Braman Ave, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Monday, April 21, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil will begin at 6:00 PM.

Burial will be held at 2:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Daniel's life was marked by his deep patriotism and unwavering support for his country. He enlisted in the United States Army in February 1968 and faithfully served until April 1970. He completed 3 tours to Vietnam and got to spend 1 week of R&R in Australia during one of his tours. His lifelong dream was to revisit Australia sometime. His service earned him numerous medals and accommodations, a testament to his dedication and bravery.

After completing his military service, Daniel embarked on various employment opportunities. His early jobs included working as a butcher at Scranton Super Value and driving trucks at Austad's in Hettinger. However, the majority of his career was spent at Knife River Coal Mine in Gascoyne, North Dakota, where he dedicated many years of hard work. Following the mine's closure in Gascoyne, he was transferred to the Beulah mine, where he eventually retired in 2003. Daniel remained active, taking on various miscellaneous jobs to keep himself occupied and engaged in the community.

Education was important to Daniel, and he proudly graduated from Scranton High School in 1967. He not only valued learning but also instilled a love of education and exploration in his children and grandchildren.

On January 23, 1971, Daniel married the love of his life, Bonnie Kromarek, in Scranton, North Dakota. Together, they built a strong and loving family that would be a source of pride and joy for Daniel throughout his life.

Daniel was an active member of several organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, AmVets, VFW, DAV, and the American Legion. His involvement in these groups reflected his commitment to service and community. He had a passion for sharing joy and laughter, especially with young children, often entertaining them by speaking in a playful Donald Duck voice.

In his leisure time, Daniel enjoyed a variety of hobbies. He had a particular fondness for collecting state quarters and anything featuring the majestic Bald Eagle. Twice a year, he would proudly display flags from every state and many different countries in his yard, a true testament to his love for his country and its diversity. Daniel also enjoyed traveling with Bonnie when in 2017 his dream of visiting Australia became reality. They also traveled to Hawaii the next year. In October 2023 Daniel and his grandson Braden traveled to Washington DC on the honor flight.

Daniel's funeral Mass will be held at Church of St.Anne on April 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Friends, family, and members of the community are invited to join in celebrating his life and the profound impact he had on those who knew him.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Bonnie, and their children: Wade Dacar, Christopher Dacar, Wesley (JoDee) Dacar, Amber (Brad) Gerber, and Gavin (Crystal) Dacar. Daniel also leaves behind a legacy of love in his 8 grandchildren and great granddaughter, who will carry his memory forward.

As we remember Daniel Lawrence Dacar, we celebrate a man whose life was a beautiful blend of service, love, and unwavering patriotism. His memory will forever remain in the hearts of all who had the privilege to know him. Rest in peace, dear Daniel; you will be missed but never forgotten.

Memorials can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=21562