Searls, Daniel "Dan" James 1924 - 2011

SEARLS, CHRISTENSEN, SAMPSON

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/24/2011 at 20:29:39

Dan Searls

Date of Death
Thursday, February 24, 2011

Akron, Iowa

Dan Searls, 87, of Akron, Iowa passed away Thursday, February 24, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Akron, Iowa. Reverend Dawn Quame will officiate. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Akron, Iowa. Visitation will be after 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011, with the family present 5:00 p.m., and a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home – Schroeder Chapel in Akron, Iowa.

Daniel James Searls was born February 3, 1924 in Akron, Iowa, the son of Howard and Kristine “Mamme” (Christensen) Searls. He attended school northeast of Akron at Searls Country School. Following his schooling, he began farming with his family.

He was united in marriage to Virginia “Gin” Sampson on September 11, 1949 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron. Together, they farmed near Akron in Iowa and in South Dakota. In 1970, they moved to Akron. Dan began working in masonry construction for Kenneth Van Gelder of Ireton, Iowa. At the age of 62, he retired. Following his retirement, Dan continued to stay busy helping people with “odds and ends” jobs. Virginia passed away December 1, 2004.

Dan was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Most recently, Dan enjoyed going to the Akron Senior Center. Through the years, it wasn’t uncommon to catch Dan hanging out at Dirk’s Hardware or Searls Repair. He enjoyed his morning and afternoon coffees with his friends. He will be remembered for his tasty Cornish hens and turkeys that he would smoke. Many springs and summers, Dan would always look forward to planting his “victory garden”. He and Virginia enjoyed canning many of its fruits and vegetables. One of Dan’s greatest pastimes where the one’s spent with grandchildren, especially when he would take them fishing. He will be missed by many.

Survivors include his 4 children: Ken Searls and his fiancé Sherry Loomis of Sioux City, IA, Inez Jorgensen and her husband Loren of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Tom Searls of Sioux City, IA and his special friend Cynthia Anderson of Akron, IA, and Bill Searls and his wife Tess of Sioux City, IA; 8 grandchildren: Nate Searls and his fiancé Bridgett Overton, Jonathan Searls and his special friend Alexandria Carter, Nicholas Jorgensen and his wife Mara, Eric Jorgensen and his wife Britnee, Karla Jorgensen, Kayla Jorgensen, Christopher Searls, and Kelsey Searls; 2 great grandchildren: Charlee Jo Jorgensen and Jace Daniel Jorgensen; 2 sisters: Dorothy Siebsen of Minneapolis, MN, and Lois Willer of Akron; a brother: William Searls of Sioux City, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Virginia; 4 brothers: Lloyd, Irwin, Alvin, and Walter; and 2 sisters: Anita Young and Carolyn Wenzel.

Carlsen Funeral Home
Akron, Iowa