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Daniel Robert Strong, 62, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following a sudden medical event while he was in New Jersey for work. Dan suffered a stroke that resulted in cardiac arrest.Dan was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Joyce (Melby) and Roger Strong. He spent his early years there before moving to Little Falls and later Brainerd, Minnesota. He graduated from Brainerd High School in 1982.
Dan married Kellie (Carter/Noble) Strong in 1986. He began his career with RG Insurance in the 1980s before moving to Mankato to attend Mankato State University, where he earned his degree in accounting. Dan and Kellie eventually returned to Brainerd, where he returned to RG Insurance and later purchased the business becoming the agency owner.
Dan’s dedication to serving others extended far beyond his career. He was a proud Army veteran and served in the Minnesota Army National Guard for 27 years, from 1988 to 2015. As a member of the Red Bulls unit, he deployed to Iraq for 18 months from 2007 to 2009.
Dan loved his country deeply, and his commitment to serving others continued long after his military service. His background in insurance led him to work with the SSLI, where he traveled to military bases across the country to conduct military briefs and provide life insurance information to servicemen and women. It was a natural extension of what mattered most to Dan: serving others, supporting military families, and giving back to those who served their country.
Dan was also an organ donor, giving others a final gift through his passing. And for those who knew him well, it was hard to picture Dan without his service dog, Maggie, by his side.
Dan will be deeply missed for his unmistakable smile, love of adventure, patriotism, and kind, generous nature.
Dan was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Noyes, and his father, Roger Strong.
He is survived by his wife, Kellie Strong; daughter Samantha Devotta (Dylan); son Zachary Strong (Lauren); granddaughters Inga and Annie; son Ethan Strong; stepmother Kaye Strong; brother Steven Strong; sister Debbie Van Risseghem; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life and memorial service will be held at Lakewood Church in Baxter, Minnesota, on Friday, October 30, at 1:00 p.m. A luncheon will follow. Friends and family are also invited to gather afterward at Jack Pine Brewery to share stories, remember Dan, and raise a glass in his memory.
God is so good, and we are grateful for every moment the Lord allowed us to have with Dan. We are thankful for the years we shared, the memories he gave us, and the opportunity to tell him how much we loved him and say goodbye.
Dan had many friends from all walks of life, and we would love to hear the stories and memories you shared with him. Please share them using the link below so we can share them during the memorial service.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceiuBWEbPZn_UlSy7siW8Vt6oPoNVN1Oql1gT2X1kzeBNgUw/viewform
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Smiles for Jake. This organization works directly with the Wounded Warrior Project to support the mental health of those who serve in the military and public-service-related professions.
Smilesforjake.org/donate
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Lakewood Evangelical Free Church, 6284 Fairview Rd, Baxter, MN 56425-8286, United States
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