Dan Bartsch, 58

Thief River Falls – Dan Bartsch, of Thief River Falls, age 58, died on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Emeralds Nursing Home in Grand Rapids, MN.
Dan Paul Bartsch was born September 1, 1967, in Thief River Falls, 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.
Dan was employed in housekeeping for 15 years at Northwest Medical Center, and in May of 2007, he quit work due to health problems.
Dan enjoyed music as well as being 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 and the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater. He wrote for the Thief River Falls Times for a number of years and enjoyed writing poetry. Dan was just a kind and gentle soul.
He is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Vivian and Rick Contos, Port Isabel, TX; and father, Wilfred Bartsch, St Paul; uncle, Richard Melby; uncle, Eldon Bartsch; aunt, Leora Daley; grandparents, Lloyd and Ellen Spray, Catherine and Otto Bartsch; and his four-legged friends: dogs, Chumley and Katie; and cat, Missy.
Dan is survived by brothers, Aaron (Jane) Bartsch, and Mathew (Theresa) Bartsch; stepmother, Marilyn Bartsch; stepbrothers, Michael J (Theresa) Contos, and Chris Contos; and stepsister, Michele Contos; nieces; nephews; and aunt/godmother, Judy (Spray) Melby, Thief River Falls; Bonnie Reiland and uncle Mark Bartsch; and several great-nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Reverend Kristin Ostercamp officiating.
Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls. Burial in the spring.
Visitation will be held one hour before the service at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls.
Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.