Dan Ness

Harold Daniel (H. Dan) Ness, 78, Alexandria, passed away on July 1, 2016 after recently being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He died on the date of his 55th wedding anniversary to his wife, DiAnn. Preceded in death by his father, Harold Runnie Ness and mother, Donalda (McAlpine) Ness.

A certified public accountant, H. Dan retired from the public accounting firm he founded, Ness, Waller, Pearson & Co., in 1987. For more than 50 years, he also was a key player in the success of Alexandria Extrusion (now Alexandria Industries) and retired from there as chief financial officer and VP of administration in 2000. He continued to serve on that company's board of directors until his death.

H. Dan served as mayor of Alexandria from 2001 to 2012, and during that period, also served as president of the League of Minnesota Cities, president of Minnesota Mayor's Association, and president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. He was instrumental in organizing the Mid-State Chapter of the Minnesota Society of CPAs and was its charter president. He served on U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson's Tax Reform Task Force.

H. Dan served in the volunteer Alexandria Fire Department from 1970-1990, and as fire chief from 1985-1990. Since 1990, he was a life member of the Minnesota State Fire Chief's Association and the Minnesota State Fire Department Association.

H. Dan was proud of his military service in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and the Minnesota Air National Guard, and was a member of the American Legion Post #87 in Alexandria.

H. Dan's board of director service included: Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County, Runestone Museum Foundation, Alexandria Area Community Foundation, West Central chapter of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, and West Central Initiative-Economic Development District. He was elected to the ISD 206 Education Foundation Hall of Fame in 2015.

H. Dan was a mentor to dozens of individuals who worked at his accounting practices or at Alexandria Industries. His leadership and mentorship guided many professionals in their first jobs in accounting.
H. Dan enjoyed spending time with his family; singing in church choir and barbershop choruses; hunting and fishing; travel; and being involved in his community and church. More than anything, he enjoyed being with the love of his life, DiAnn.

He is survived by wife, DiAnn; son, Dan (Linda Zespy); daughter, Kari (Wade) McCoy; daughter, Traci (Mike Cook); son, Barry (Susan); sister, Pattie (Jerry) Hanks; and grandchildren Hunter and Emily Ness; Austin and Kaci McCoy; Cody, Ty, Larami, and Brady Kisthart; Hailey Ness; and Micah Gosline.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 5 from 4 - 7 p.m. with a time for sharing at 7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 6 at 2 p.m. with visitation an hour prior at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Inurnment at Kinkead Cemetery, Alexandria.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Alexandria Area Community Foundation; the Runestone Museum Foundation, or First Lutheran Church Choir Fund.