Daniel Hacker
Daniel Thomas Hacker, 65, of rural Sleepy Eye passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2018, from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, after a 12-year battle. He died at home surrounded by his wife and children. He is now home with his Heavenly Father.
Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. today (Wednesday, August 22) at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, with Pastor Chris Cordes officiating. A meal of celebration will follow the service in the lower level of the church. Interment will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Morgan, at 2 o’clock today.
Visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 Tuesday at the Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye, will continue today from 10:00 to 11:00 at the church.
Dan was born in Sleepy Eye to George and Helen Hacker on Nov. 1, 1952. He is the oldest of 13 children. He attended Springfield High School and Vocational School in Jackson. He was very active in FFA and received National awards. He married the love of his life, Lynn Schumacher, on August 17, 1974, in Door County, Wisconsin. Together they have owned Hacker’s Tree Farm, Nursery and Greenhouse since 1981. Dan and Lynn were able to celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary surrounded by all the people he loved on Friday, August 17, 2018. Dan “never worked” a day in his life. He truly loved the hard work of their business. Since his diagnosis in January of 2007, he put on his boots every day and went to work. He put on thousands of miles in his wheelchair working in his greenhouses and tree fields on their farm. He managed to squeeze every minute out of life. Dan was able to go outside and enjoy the view of his Christmas Tree field surrounded by his family just hours before he went to Heaven. Dan especially enjoyed sharing his love of pigs with his grandkids. His grandkids all showed pigs together at the Polka Town Hog Show, which Dan had been involved with for 47 years, and the Brown County Fair for many years. His absolute favorite week of the year was the Brown County Fair. He was able to enjoy one last fair this year and sample all his favorite fair foods and watch his grandkids show his pigs. Dan was an active member in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, the Brown County Pork Producers Board, and the Minnesota Christmas Tree Growers Association.
Dan is survived by his wife, Lynn; daughter, Heather (Spencer) Hammer; sons, Matthew (Hailie) Hacker and Nicholas (Joeleen) Hacker; his grandchildren, Olivia and Violet Hammer, Emily, Jack, Wyatt and Caleb Hacker and Callan, Wesley and Ethan Hacker; His 12 siblings, Mike (Carol) Hacker, Goode, Va., Judy (Guy) Harding, Lake Benton, Gerry (Rhonda) Hacker, Athens, Ala., Nancy (Rick) Peterson, Bouton, Iowa, Tim (Laurie) Hacker, Hutchinson, Peg (Scott) Breiholz, Forest, Va., Kevin (Tammy) Hacker, Glen Allen, Va., Brian (Patty) Hacker, Sleepy Eye, Sue (Mark) Theobald, Roseville, Paul Hacker of Rogers, Scott (Dana) Hacker, League City, Texas, and Chris (Chantel) Hacker, Edina. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Thomas Daniel; his parents, George and Helen Hacker; his mother and father in law, Gordon and June Schumacher; and brother-in-law, Gordon Schumacher Jr.
Dan was a loving and selfless person and cared for all his people and animals. His family takes great joy in sharing his faith and that comfort will sustain them. He will be greatly missed.
Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.