Daniel L. Gierke, age 67, of rural Kiel, died peacefully, after a courageous battle with colon cancer, with his family by his side on Thursday morning, May 18, 2023 at Sharon S. Richardson Hospice, Sheboygan Falls.

Dan was born on October 1, 1955, son of Carol (Lehrke) Gierke and the late Norman Gierke.  He was a graduate of Kiel High School with the class of 1973.  Dan continued his education at LTC in the Auto Body Program which lead him to own Gierke Auto Service for over 20 years.  He then worked at Stoelting for over 15 years, retiring in 2021.  On September 18, 1982 he married Tammie Bender at St. Peter's UCC in Kiel.  Dan was a proud member of the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Association and racing at the dirt track in Plymouth.  He had a knack for old cars, attending car shows, and especially his '65 Chevy Impala, however the most important part of his life was his family, especially spending time with his grandsons.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years: Tammie; his three children: Josh (Krystle) Gierke, Shana (Matt) Horst and Jeremy Gierke; his mother: Carol Gierke; two grandsons: Hudson Gierke and Cullen Horst; four brothers and one sister: Jeff (Lori) Gierke, Mark (Barb) Gierke, Theresa (Craig) Lyon, Tim Gierke, and Tom (Jana) Gierke; his mother-in-law: Rosie (Henry Bub) Bender-Bub; a brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law: Dan (Mary) Bender, Vonda (Tom) Heiberger, Heidi Bender and Vida (Randy) Schneider. Dan is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.   He was preceded in death by his father, Norman, granddaughter: Makenzie Horst and father-in-law: James Bender.

Funeral Services for Dan will be held at 4:30PM on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at St. Peter's UCC (424 Fremont St. Kiel).  Officiating at the service will be Rev. Nicole Herda with burial to follow on Wednesday at Kiel Hillside Cemetery at 10:00AM.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Tuesday from 2:00PM until 4:15PM when brief family rites will be held.

The family would like to thank Sharon S. Richardson Hospice and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Centers in Sheboygan and Green Bay for going above and beyond for Dan and his family during his bout with cancer.