Dan A. Mccracken

A Celebration of Life Graveside Service for Dan A. McCracken will be held on Friday, July 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Cemetery in Bertrand, Nebraska with Reverend Tim Glendening officiating. Following the graveside service, fellowship and lunch will be held at the Bertrand Community Building.
Dan Arthur McCracken, 65 years of age, of Bertrand, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at his home, surrounded by his family, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Dan was born on January 19, 1952 in Holdrege, the fourth of six children to Harold and Betty (Kehr) McCracken. He attended Bertrand Community School, graduating with the class of 1970.
On July 18, 1971, Dan was united in marriage to Janean Kay Valentine and the couple was blessed with four children: Dana, Ryan, Kevin & Jared. He worked for the Village of Bertrand when they were first married. He then sold insurance for Banker's Life Insurance for a short time. He worked for the Bank of Bertrand (now First State Bank) as a loan officer for over 42 years until his retirement in December 2016.
His "weekend job" was handyman or cook. Many weekends he spent doing home improvement projects on his house or his kids' homes and was quite handy in electrical, tile, carpentry and plumbing work. He also spent weekends smoking/cooking meat with the crew for special events.
Dan enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and playing cards but fishing was his favorite. His fishing buddies called him Captain Dan and this was long before the movie Forest Gump came out. He owned numerous boats, and drifted numerous lakes for that elusive master angler Walleye. Dan was an excellent fisherman. He always knew if the fish were biting or who to call if they weren't.
He was a member of the Bertrand Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years. He was a board member of the Hi-Line Golf Course and played a role in bringing golf to the community. He spent many hours and years running the Bertrand Chamber Fishing Tournament and serving in various roles during the Bertrand Fair and Rodeo and the Bertrand Parade.
He enjoyed being surrounded by his family and grandchildren. You could frequently find him treating his family to a meal out on the town or calling early Saturday morning to say he was bringing rolls.
Known by many, and respected by all, Dan would have done anything for family and friends. Dan was a private man, and never wanted any recognition. Nevertheless, he was an excellent role-model, and was always very visible in the community. Captain Dan's legacy will live on through the people he has touched throughout his life especially his grandchildren. So, Grandpa, we say to you, "See you later, Alligator…." and await your answer in heaven: "In a while, Crocodile."
Dan was preceded in death by his father, Harold McCracken; infant sister, Joni McCracken; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Chet and Myrt Valentine; sister-in-law, Lana McCracken; and brother-in-law, Wes Skaggs.
He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of 45 years, Janean McCracken of Bertrand; one daughter, Dana Kaslon and her husband, Brian of Kearney, Nebraska; three sons: Ryan McCracken of Lincoln, Kevin McCracken and his wife, Erika of Kearney, and Jared McCracken and his wife, Torri of Lexington; six grandchildren: McKaleigh, Mariah and Madisyn Kaslon of Kearney; Bon Fox of Manhattan, Kansas; and Paxton and Gracelynn McCracken of Lexington; his mother, Betty McCracken of Bertrand; three brothers: Howard McCracken and his wife, Betty Jo of Loveland, Colorado, Bill McCracken and his wife, Anne of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, and Gary McCracken of Kearney; one sister, Brenda High and her husband, Dan of Bertrand; sisters-in-law: Monica Skaggs and Kathy Veal and her husband, Gerald all of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
There will be no visitation as the family is honoring his wish for cremation.
A memorial has been established in Dan's honor and will be designated at a later date.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.