Grand Forks, ND – Daniel Thomas Cullen was born July 4, 1968, at Northwestern Hospital in Thief River Falls, to Joanne (Jan) Cecile (Allen) and John Henry Cullen. He passed away from cancer on August 28, 2025, at his sister, Dianne’s home in Grand Forks, ND under the care of hospice.
Daniel attended school in Goodridge. He graduated from the AVTI in Thief River Falls in 1988, with an Automotive Service Technology diploma. Daniel served our country in the National Guard for 17 years. He worked at various companies in the area including construction for Spruce Valley and Troy Taggart. He worked as a mechanic at Hartz. He ran his own mechanic shop for a short time. Most recently, he worked at Cenex as their head mechanic. In addition, Daniel worked a few winters as a mechanic for Scott Groven on Scott’s racing snowmobiles. They traveled all over and had the best times.
Daniel married Tonya Larsen on February 14, 1996. They had two daughters, Emily and Amy.
Danny enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, grilling out, collecting cars and 3-wheel ATVs, going to auction sales, tinkering with engines, and spending time with family and friends. His specialty at family potlucks was fish bites that he would deep fry. He especially loved and adored his grandson, Ezekiel. Danny was also a member of the Eagles Club in Thief River Falls.
He was preceded in death by his mother; paternal grandparents, Tom Sr. and Leola (Portwine) Cullen; and maternal grandparents, Mitchell (Micky) and Elanore (Dolly) (Lynd) Allen; sister-in-law, Lynne Cullen; brothers-in-law, Kim Christopherson and Jeff Cole; uncles, Lynd Allen, Keith Hartley, Lenny Medel, Robert Cullen, Tommy Cullen, Joe Cullen, Eddy Stucy, Ray Kuznia, Warren Syverson, Doug Cullen; aunts, Joanne Allen, Marilyn Cullen, Virginia Cullen, Loretta Stucy; cousins, Jenny Cullen, Greg Syverson, Patrick Kuznia, Chad Johnson, Derek Alby and AJ Wavra.
Daniel is survived by his daughters, Emily Cullen of Fargo, ND and Amy (Shawn) Robinson of Thief River Falls; his grandson, Ezekiel (EZ, Zeke) Cullen; his father and stepmother, John and Louise Cullen; his sisters and brothers, Lynn (Bromley) Carr, Bonita (Bonnie) Cullen, Donna (Alden) Skadsem, John R. Cullen, Dianne Christopherson and Edward Cullen; nieces, Sally (Gene) Roller, Cynthia (Desmond) Wright, Alyshia Knott, Jill (Brett) Schulz, Samantha (Corey) Rasmussen, Bobbie-Jean (Minh-Duc Quoc La) Cullen, Whitney (Chris) Jaeger; nephews, Eric (Amanda) Hagen, David (Trinna) Hagen, Chris (Kelly) Halvorson, Adam Knott, Craig Cullen, Corban Cullen, Damian (Heather Stewart) Janssen, Skyler Skadsem, Tyler Skadsem; great-nieces and nephews, Molly (Zack Fink) Roller, Hunter (Sheila Erickson) Roller, Mackenzie Roller, Donavin Hagen, Nick Hagen, Koltan Tamblyn, Kyden Kruger, Aiden Wold, Aunnika Wold, Addisen Wold, Aubriana Halvorson, Aliya Halvorson, Katelynn Schulz, Taylor Schulz, Jennings Jaeger, Kolton Jaeger, Elizabell Jaeger, Everhett Jaeger, Arlynne Jaeger; and great-great- nephews, Dayton and Silas Roller; aunts and uncles, Agnes Kuznia, Margaret Syverson, Louise Cullen, Michelle (Mikki) Hartley, Pat Medel, Margaret (Pixie) (Deforest (Dee)) Sanford, Judy (John) Traxler; close friends, Todd Southwick, Gerry Sunsdahl, Rodney Boutain, Shawn Groven, Scott Groven; and many cousins and friends.
At the gravesite there will be sparklers because of Danny’s birthdate and other festivities to celebrate his life. Please feel free to take one to light at the appropriate time after the service at the cemetery.
To the ones who look at us from the sky…we miss you more than you’ll ever know.
Visitation will be held from 5–7 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Goodridge, with Father Bryan Kujawa presiding. Burial will follow at the Goodridge Community Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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