On September 10, 2012, Daniel "Dan" Gerard Pesch, M.D., age 55, died at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN surrounded by his loving family.

Dan was born on September 26, 1956, in Iowa City, Iowa to Joseph and Mary (Moquin) Pesch.  He grew up in Rochester, MN and graduated from Lourdes High School, class of 1974.  He served in the U.S. Army as an Army bandsman playing trumpet, from 1974 to 1977. He was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia and Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Dan attended Rochester Community College, where he met the love of his life, Kristi. They were married four years later on June 5, 1982 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Potsdam, MN and celebrated their 30 ^th wedding anniversary this year.

Dan graduated from Hamline University with a degree in chemistry.  He went on to attend medical school at the Mayo School of Medicine, later completing his residency in Family Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. He practiced Family Medicine with the Olmsted Medical Center at their former Elgin and current Plainview clinic for 24 years. He believed strongly in physician leadership and obtained his Masters of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas. Throughout his entire practice, he was a dedicated physician and was held in the highest regards by his patients. He took pride in his clinic and in the excellence of his co-workers.

Dr. Pesch has been an active part of the community. He served as the Wabasha County Medical Examiner, Medical Director of Plainview and Elgin Ambulance Services, and Medical Director at St. Isidore Health Center of Greenwood Prairie in Plainview, MN. He also served as the Medical Director at Heartland Hospice of Rochester, MN. Dr. Pesch starred in community and church theater productions, enjoyed raising racing homing pigeons, and managed a vineyard at his home. Additionally he was a maple syrup producer, a prominent shepherd and a talented trumpet player.

Above all, Dan loved being with family and friends.  He was devoted to his family and cherished his children and their accomplishments.  He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son.

Dan is survived by his wife, Kristi; his son, Joseph (Lauren) Pesch and their son Thomas Frank of St. Helena, CA; his daughter, Kathryn (Kyle) McKenzie of Rochester, MN; his son Thomas Pesch of South Bend IN; parents Joseph and Mary Pesch of Rochester, MN; brother Michael (Connie) Pesch of St. Cloud, MN; brother David (Valli) Pesch of Cerritos, CA; sister Elizabeth (Tim) Mackey of St. Cloud, MN; sister Therese (Mark) Smith of Cedar Rapids, IA; brother Thomas (Mary) Pesch of Allen, TX; brother Andrew (Beth) Pesch of St. Francis, WI; sister Maria Pesch of Atlanta, GA; sister Amy (Bob) LaHait of Sudbery, MA; mother-in-law Kathleen McFarland of Elgin, MN; sister-in-law Patti (Paul) Tackmann of Lake City, MN; sister-in-law Darci (Scott) Fenske of Elgin, MN; brother-in-law Scott (Tina) Culbertson of Pine Island, MN; brother-in-law James McFarland of Elgin, MN. Dan is also survived by 27 loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, William McFarland.

Funeral: Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 15, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plainview, MN with Rev. William Meiers of Hosanna Lutheran Church, Rochester officiating. Burial will be at the Elgin Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Plainview and Elgin American Legions.

Visitation: Will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, September 14, at the Christian Life Center of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plainview, MN and an hour prior to the funeral service at the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

The family prefers memorials to Hosanna Lutheran Church, Plainview Community Theater and OMC Regional Foundation.

Arrangements are with Macken Funeral Home of Rochester and Schad & Zable of Plainview.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com