Sept. 8, 1970-Dec. 18, 2024
Dan was born and raised in Southern California to Bruce and Evelyn Keuning and sister Julie (Chase) Poindexter. His family — wife Lisl, sons Jake and Josh and daughter Kylie (Cam) Hinger, father Bruce (Pat) — and many extended family members walked with him through his extended illness.
Dan attended Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Mich., where he received his nursing degree and met his wife, Lisl. They were married in December 1993 and shortly thereafter moved to Pagosa Springs, Colo., to settle and start their family. This is where Dan opened the Mercy Home Health and Hospice office in Pagosa Springs. Dan also earned his master’s degree in nursing, becoming a nurse practitioner during this time. Dan loved working with all his various co-workers and providers, and all his patients became his extended family. He had so many stories and just loved all of you.
Pagosa was home for 28 years, where they raised their three children, Jake, Josh and Kylie. Dan believed in living life to the fullest. He was grounded in relationships and in serving others. His life was based on faith, family and friends. He believed God put him on earth to serve others, and he did this well. Whether he was your dad, health provider or hunting partner, Dan was there for you. He helped start Pagosa Bible Church and served his community in every way he could find. If you knew Dan, he was always laughing and always busy. He was a friend to all.
In 2018, Dan was diagnosed with frontal temporal dementia (FTD). This caused his early “retirement” from all his jobs and began a long journey of challenges. He was thrilled to be able to stay in Pagosa and watch our youngest graduate there and then moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., to be closer to family and the medical help that he needed. Dan was additionally diagnosed with ALS in 2022 — a few more challenges were added to his life.
There were many adventures along the way. Dan, Lisl and kids learned how to intentionally choose joy through the journey — God had a plan through both the good and bad. This was not an easy journey, but choosing joy made it more bearable. One of his biggest goals he achieved was to be able to walk his daughter down the aisle as she married Cam Hinger, and to see his children become fantastic people. Nothing made him prouder than his children. Dan put his whole heart and soul into relationships, and it showed. His presence is missed. He has run the race well and he is with our Lord Jesus, happy and whole.
We will be celebrating Dan’s life on June 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Pagosa Bible Church, 209 Harman Park Drive, with snacks and stories (appropriate, please) to follow. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to any of the following: Faith Hospice of Michigan, Susan Mast ALS Foundation or Pagosa Bible Church.
