WAUCOMA — Daniel “Dann” Lee Kime, 55, passed away September 29, 2026, at his rural Waucoma home with his family at his side following a one-year battle with cancer.
Private family services will be held. An open house celebrating Dann’s life will be held Sunday, October 4, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Jackson Heights Golf Course, 3249 County Road V64 in Waucoma.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dann’s name to WinnMed Hospice or to the family for later designation.
Dann was born December 10, 1970, in Manchester to David Kime and Linda White Kime. He was baptized January 31, 1971, at First Lutheran Church in Manchester.
His family moved to the Maynard area when he was 5, and it was there that Dann developed the values that would remain at the center of his life — hard work, faith, family and agriculture.
He attended West Central Schools and graduated in 1989. During his school years, Dann played football and was active in the Harlan Livestock 4-H Club, FFA, 4-H County Council and Student Council. He was also crowned homecoming king.
Dann’s connection to farming began early. He worked for area farmers while still in high school and later worked for I.B.P.
He and Annette Arthur moved to Wells, Minnesota, where Dann worked as a dairy herdsman. On June 6, 1992, Dann and Annette were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Maynard.
Their marriage became the center of a life they built together around family, farming and faith. Dann often described Annette as his best friend, and the two shared nearly every part of life together.
They later moved to Rudd, where Dann worked for Coca-Cola, North Iowa Co-op and as manager of Cowell Co-op. Even while working those jobs, Dann and Annette continued raising livestock, including farrowing sows and baby calves, while also working the land.
In 2002, the family moved to their home near Waucoma, where Dann took over a dairy operation. For the past 10 years, he worked for Lang’s Dairy and continued serving the agricultural community he had been part of nearly his entire life.
“Faith, Family and Farming” became more than a saying for Dann. Those three things shaped how he lived.
Dann was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church-Stapleton, where he served on the church council and spent many years as church president.
His community involvement extended well beyond the church. Dann and Annette were involved with the Iowa Guernsey Breeders Association, Winneshiek County Dairy Promoters, 4-H and the Floyd County Quality Pork Producers.
Dann also served several elected terms on the Jackson Junction City Council.
Guernsey cattle were another lifelong passion. Dann enjoyed showing cattle at county shows, the National Cattle Congress and the Iowa State Fair. The state fair became a yearly family tradition, and Dann passed his enthusiasm for showing cattle along to his children.
He was also a devoted Iowa State football fan and treasured time with his family at their cabin along the Mississippi River.
At home, Dann found satisfaction in the simple things, including looking out the front window at the cattle and the farm he loved. He enjoyed western movies and conversation and had a way of making people feel welcome and heard.
Dann was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma in 2025. During the year that followed, his family and community rallied around him. A recent benefit for Dann and his family left him deeply grateful for the support shown by friends, neighbors and others throughout the area.
Dann is survived by his wife, Annette, of rural Waucoma; children Robin Kime of Woodbury, Minnesota, Justin Kime and Morgan Kupka of Tripoli, and Raegan Kime and Matt Shoppach of Cambridge, Wisconsin; siblings Tracy and Ryan Cummings of Oelwein, Michael and Andrea Kime of Waucoma, and Paul and Katie Kime of Waucoma; brother-in-law Alden and Amy Arthur of Sumner; numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, DiAnna and Lonny Arthur.
Additional information and condolences for the family are available through Becker & Son Funeral Homes.
NorthIowaToday.com publishes obituaries and remembrances for families and funeral homes free of charge.