Daniel Etzel

Daniel Leroy Etzel, 81, died peacefully on Monday, June 16, 2008, at Brewster Place in Topeka. The son of John and Catherine (Desch) Etzel, he was born April 20, 1927 in the Oakland neighborhood of Topeka. He graduated from Capital Catholic High School in 1945. He also attended Washburn University, Topeka, and Georgetown University, Washington, DC. He served in the US Marine Corps from June 1945 to August 1946. A loving husband, he married Rosemary Miller, who survives, on November 26, 1949, in Washington, DC. For over 40 years, Dan worked as a public servant. He worked for the Veterans Administration in Washington, DC and Topeka as well as the Topeka Air Force Supply Depot. For most of his career he was an auditor, working for the Bureau of Public Roads, or Federal Highway Administration, from 1960 to 1981, and the Kansas Department of Transportation from 1981 to 1992, when he retired. Dan was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Association of Government Auditors and the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by five children, Diane Etzel-Wise (Pat Wise), Lenexa, Cindy Swoboda (Tegan), Topeka, Dan Etzel (Sarah), Topeka, Linda Hoopes (Brad), Lawrence, and Lisa Hecker (Paul), Berryton. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren; one grandson-in-law and one great-grandson; a brother, Richard Etzel, Washington, Utah; and a sister, Cecilia Philbrick, Palm Bay, Florida; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael; five sisters and three brothers: Sr. Rose Etzel, SCL, Mary Fagan, Katherine Burghart, Lavina Beier, Anne Etzel, Edward Etzel, Bernard Etzel, and Raymond Etzel. Dan enjoyed gardening, bargain hunting, political discussion, playing with his dogs, and tinkering with cars. Most especially, he devoted himself to caring for his family. Family will greet friends Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka, KS 66614. A parish rosary will be prayed Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Matthew Capital Campaign Fund, St. Matthew Food Pantry or the Alzheimer’s Association sent in care of the funeral home.

Daniel Etzel

April 20, 1927 - June 16, 2008