Dan D. Djuren

Danny “Dan” Djuren, 69, of Clear Lake, IA, died Friday, September 4, 2015, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, IA. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM on Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 419 N. Delaware, Mason City, with Rev. Mark Lavrenz officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, September 7, 2015, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Dan Djuren memorial fund in care of the family.

Dan was born November 19, 1945, in Mason City, the son of Elbert “Mike” and Betty (Martin) Djuren. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1964. On December 18, 1966, he married Diane Tenold in Kensett, IA. Dan attended The University of Iowa for one year, marching in the U of I Marching Band. He then continued his education at Wartburg College where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education in 1970. Dan began his teaching career in Little Rock, IA. He then moved to Reinbeck, IA and taught Jr. and Sr. High School Instrumental Music and was an assistant wrestling coach for 15 years. In 1985, Dan took the job as Clear Lake High School Band Director. Under his direction Clear Lake High School Band was a consistent 1 rated concert band at state large group contest and finished top 3 in all national and international festivals they attended. He retired from teaching in 2003.

Music was Dan’s life. He enjoyed directing and playing. In his retirement, Dan was the conductor of the Clear Lake Municipal Band and continued to play his tuba in the NIACC Spring and Fall Concerts, North Iowa Concert Band and Tuba Christmas. One of his greatest joys in retirement was working for Good News Tour and Travel, accompanying school groups on tours across the country. He also enjoyed spending time with family and many friends, daily coffee with the guys, winter trips to Arizona, afternoon drives around the lake and walking his two chows: Mack & Marly every morning. They were “his boys”. Dan was also an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan who rarely missed a game.

Dan was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he served as an elder and choir director. He was also a member of NCIBA, IBA and CLASS Car Club in Clear Lake.

Dan is survived by his mother: Betty Djuren of Mason City; his wife of 48 years: Diane Djuren of Clear Lake; his son: Anthony Djuren of Hollywood, FL; his daughter: Michelle Krecl and husband Scott of Clear Lake; 5 grandchildren: Alyson and Jeremy Djuren, Ryan, Evan and Madeline Krecl; and 2 great-grandchildren: Emmit and Naudia Djuren. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father.