Daniel Washburn

Daniel R. Washburn, 63, formerly of Sergeant Bluff, and most recently of Sioux City, passed away on Oct. 25, 2014, at his home surrounded by his family.
Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Community United Methodist Church in Sergeant Bluff, with the Rev. Tim Reickhoff-Faris officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery at Sioux City. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present starting at 6 p.m., and a memorial service will begin at 7 p.m., officiated by the Rev. Tess Panamarow, at Community United Methodist Church in Sergeant Bluff. Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left for the family at christysmith.com
Daniel was born on Oct. 20, 1951, in Kingsley, Iowa, to Jesse and Helen (Short) Washburn. He grew up on a farm east of Sioux City and attended Lawton-Bronson schools. At Lawton-Bronson, Daniel was a National Merit Scholar semi-finalist, which recognized him for his academic achievements and placement in the top 1 percent of students in the nation. Daniel met his wife, Vickie, when both were students at Lawton-Bronson. They were married in 1971 at Whitfield United Methodist Church in Sioux City. He graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City in 1973.
Daniel taught high school science for 34 years. His first teaching job was at Canova, S.D. He and his family then spent two years in Hubbard, Iowa, before locating closer to home when he accepted a teaching position at Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School in 1976. Dan was a former member and past president of the Sergeant Bluff Jaycees. At Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Daniel taught high school general and advanced courses in science and technology. He was also an assistant coach for the junior high and high school football teams and the high school wrestling team. He organized annual science trips to Chicago for his students. In the latter half of his teaching career, Daniel directed high school plays.
He was an active member of the Sioux City Community Theatre, having appeared in and directed numerous productions over the last 12 years. His other hobbies included fishing, reading and writing. Throughout his life, Daniel had a passion for learning and teaching. He took an active role in his cancer treatments, engaging his physicians with his own research and insight. His family is grateful to the staff of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, including Dr. Jue Wong, Michelle Schneider, RN, Dr. Apar Ganti and Dr. Charles Enk, and the staff and nurses at Unity Point Health in Sioux City and Hospice of Siouxland.
Daniel is survived by his wife of 43 years, Vickie (Solomon), his high school sweetheart; his four children, David Washburn (Trevor Jackman) of Dakota Dunes, Amy Nilles (Chris) of Sioux City, Nicholas Washburn (Anne) of Ankeny, Iowa and Lindsay Washburn (Jeremy McClure) of Sioux City; seven grandchildren, Taylor, Grace, Avery, Isabella, Joseph, Haley and Cole; and one great-grandchild, baby Bradley. Survivors also include siblings, Larry (Arlo) Washburn of South Sioux City, Ron (Pat) Washburn of Lawton, Iowa, Bonnie Powers of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Randall (Donna) Washburn of Sioux City, and Leana (Lynn) Goodrich of Logan, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Rhonda Pearson of Brandon, Miss., and Valerie (Gary) Weikel of Sioux City; and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse "Bud" and Helen Washburn; his in-laws, Charles and Frances Solomon; and a brother-in-law, John Pearson.