Daniel Steven Aberle

Daniel S. Aberle, 82, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, August 1, 2023 at Aspen Ridge Alzheimers Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado under HopeWest care. He was born on December 26, 1940 in Glencross, South Dakota to the late Anton and Alice Aberle. As a youngster on his parents' South Dakota farm, Dan had his own horse named "Star" which he and his brother rode to a one-room schoolhouse on the prairie. He worked his way through college, and in 1962, graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a Civil Engineering degree. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was stationed in the Washington D.C. area where he met his wife, and then was stationed in Verdun, France, assigned to Headquarters 32nd Engineers Group. He was awarded the Army's Parachutist badge. During his enlistment, he and his wife traveled throughout Europe.

After military service, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he worked for an international engineering firm. In 1968, the family moved to Denver, Colorado. After working a few years in the engineering and construction fields, Dan decided to start his own engineering company, and then several construction companies, designing, building, remodeling commercial and office buildings in both Denver and Grand Junction until 2007 when he and his wife retired to Grand Junction.

Dan is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Georgette, of Grand Junction, his daughter, Beckette Anne Ogden (John) of Glendora, California and son, Eric of Denver. He is also survived by his brother, Dwayne Aberle of Chehalis, Washington and two grandchildren, Terric Aberle of Denver and Jacklynn Ogden of Glendora, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his two younger brothers, Dale and Donald.

He enjoyed camping with his family, hiking, hunting, coin collecting, horseback riding, traveling, and watching westerns. He was also a skilled craftsman designing and making many fine pieces of furniture. He loved restoring classic cars, especially his '56 T-birds, and he would watch football only to take a nap. Dan was also well known for always wearing his Stetson hat, cowboy boots and his pipe with Captain Black flavored tobacco.

Interment will be at a later date with Army Military Honors at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado in Grand Junction. He is truly missed.