Glen L. Dankers

Glen Loyd Dankers, age 85, of Goodhue, loving husband of 61 years, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died on Christmas morning at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. In his final days, he said his goodbyes to his family, including his beloved wife Margaret.  Glen was born on March 7, 1935, in Lake City, Minnesota to Harvey and Irene (Thimijan) Dankers.  He graduated from the University of MN Agricultural School in 1953 and then served in the MN National Guard from 1954-1962.  On May 9, 1959, he married Margaret Olson at Salem Lutheran Church in Salem Township.  In the early years of their marriage, Glen and Margaret lived on a farm near Goodhue where he farmed from childhood to 1986. Glen also hauled livestock for Zumbrota Livestock Market for about six years. Many in Goodhue County knew Glen because of his 20 years working in real estate, a career he was passionate about. He spent 8 of those years working with Coldwell Banker McCaughtry Real Estate, and then started his own business, New World Realty, which he ran for 12 years. During the over six decades of Glen & Margaret’s marriage, they raised two children, worked hard running the farm and later the real estate business, and attended their children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s activities.

Glen was an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where he served on numerous committees. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, playing board games, shopping at consignment shops, admiring vans in car lots, caring for his rose garden, and listening to polka music.  He was known as a patient man who was impeccably groomed, with starched shirt collars and polished shoes.

Glen was preceded in death by his parents, sister-Lorraine Brown; brother- LaVerne Dankers; grandson- Dustin Dankers.  He is survived by his wife, Margaret; daughter-Mary Jo (Dan) Schwartau of Red Wing, son-Bruce Dankers of Red Wing, grandchildren- Melissa (Dave) Fitzgerald, Bryce (Brooklyn) Dankers, Ashley (Ean) Gibson, and Tyler Matthys; great grandchildren-Morgan, Mikayla, Madelyn, and Mariah Fitzgerald, and many other relatives and friends.

A private family service will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Goodhue with Reverend Martin Weigand officiating.  The service will be lived stream at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2021, on the church’s Facebook page (Grace St. Peter’s Goodhue) or their website, (www.gracestpeters.org).  Burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Goodhue.  Memorials are preferred to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.  Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.