Dan Bartsch, Thief River Falls, MN, age 58, died on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at Emeralds Nursing Home in Grand Rapids, MN

Memorial service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Kristin Ostercamp Officiating. Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls.

Dan Paul Bartsch was born September 1, 1967 in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Wilford and Vivian Luella (Spray) Bartsch. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls and was a 1986 graduate of Lincoln High School, Thief River Falls. He also graduated from Northland College, Thief River Falls, in 1988.

He was employed in house-keeping for 15 years at Northwest Medical Center and in May of 2007, quit work due to health problems.

Dan enjoyed music as well as an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan. He took an interest in events at the Community College. Dan was very active at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls Area Community Theater. He wrote for the Thief River Falls Times for a number of years, enjoyed writing poetry. Dan was just a kind and gentle soul.

He is preceded in death by mother and step father, Vivian and Rick Contos, Port Isabel, TX, and father Wilfred Bartsch, St Paul, MN, uncle Richard Melby, uncle Eldon Bartsch, aunt Leora Daley grandparents Lloyd and Ellen Spray, Catherine and Otto Bartsch and his four leg friends: dogs Chumley and Katie and cat Missy.

He is survived by brothers, Aaron (Jane) Bartsch, and Mathew (Theresa) Bartsch, step mother Marilyn Bartsch, step brothers, Michael J (Theresa) Contos, and Chris Contos, and step sister, Michele Contos; nieces, nephews, and aunt/godmother, Judy (Spray) Melby, Thief River Falls, MN, Bonnie Reiland and uncle Mark Bartsch and a number of great nieces and nephews.

Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com