Dan File was born on January 14, 1948, in Beloit, Kansas. Dan was the oldest of three children born to Duane (Bud) E. File and Bonnie Jean (Eldringhoff) File. He died suddenly doing what he loved, preparing to take cattle to the sale barn, at his farm on November 1, 2024, at the age of 76 years old.
Dan grew up on the farm and attended the #3 schoolhouse for his first six years of school, just three miles from his home, riding his bike there as much as he could. He was proud of the education he received from that one room schoolhouse. In 1966, he graduated from Beloit High School. He attended his senior year of high school at the Vo-Tech school where he also graduated in Heavy Equipment at the same time. Following high school, he attended Fort Hays State College, graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture. In 1970 Dan joined the National Guard and completed basic training before returning to Hays to finish his final semester at Hays. He was proud to have served in the National Guard for six years.
It was in Hays where he met his wife, Marcia Ann Obholz. They were married in Hays August 28, 1971, and shared 53 wonderful years of marriage doing what they loved, farming and raising cattle. They were blessed with three children from this marriage, Joe Daniel, Julie Ann and Jennie Lynn.
Dan loved to listen to old music with his wife Marcia and spent many hours listening to music that really, only they enjoyed. The music was from before their time but occasionally they enjoyed a song from their own time or even their kids or grandkids time. Their first dance together was a polka "In Heaven There is No Beer".
Dan was a successful farmer and rancher and took extreme pride in his work. He was a simple, kind man who would drop anything to help anyone. He was passionate about the FFA and 4-H programs and supported these programs and the kids and young adults pursuing careers in agriculture and livestock throughout his life. Dan was a proud member and supporter of the American Legion, the Kansas Livestock Association, and the National Cattleman's Beef Association.
In the last five to ten years, Dan enjoyed his version of retirement spending nearly half his days in local sale barns where he met and visited with some of his closest friends. Dan and Marcia enjoyed numerous trips to Joplin annually to buy cattle together, where they also made many friends. Two of Dan and Marcia's dearest friends were Barrett and Lori Broadie, Dan's cattle rep for more than 33 years, where Dan sold thousands of heifers through the Superior Livestock Auction.
Dan's greatest enjoyment over the years has been spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was proud to farm for years with his father Bud, and later with his son Joe and grandson Caleb. He enjoyed spending time with all his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids on the farm and taking them to sales. Over the years each of his grandchildren got to pick out a calf, and of course they all got names. Dan and his youngest daughter Jennie enjoyed a candlelight dinner once, when the electricity went out at the Mankato Livestock Auction, as it was the only way they could see to eat their supper. This was a great memory for Dan, but we'll just call it a memory for Jennie.
Dan was preceded in death by his father, Duane E. File, and sisters, Dee Ann Meschke and Judy Barid. Dan is survived by his wife, Marcia; his mother, Bonnie File; children, Joe (Heather) File, Julie (Mark) Carson and Jennie File; Grandchildren Caleb (Jordan) Carson, Samantha (Dawson) Miller, Maddison (friend Jack) File, Dani Carson, Marley File; and great-grandchildren, Ripley Miller, Treedyn Miller, Atlee Carson, Koe Daniel Miller, Collins Carson and Hazie Miller.
Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, November 6, at the St. John's Catholic Church in Beloit, Kansas, followed by graveside services at Elmwood Cemetery and a dinner in the basement of the Municipal Building in Beloit.
Visitation will be from 1 PM to 7 PM, with family present from 4 PM to 6 PM Tuesday, November 5, at Roberts Family Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to the Mitchell County Regional Medical Foundation or the Mitchell County 4-H.
Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com