Dan Tinlin

Daniel Bruce Tinlin, born on July 26, 1934, died peacefully surrounded by family and friends at Gothenburg Health on Saturday, December 10, 2022. He was 88 years young.

Dan was born to Bruce and Ingrid Tinlin and grew up on the south side of Chicago until 1950, when a relative threw the truck keys to him and said, “Dan, you’re going to learn how to drive. We’re moving to San Antonio.” In his later years, some may question whether he actually did learn to drive. Dan graduated from GW Brackenridge High School in 1953 and attended two years at San Antonio College.

Dan joined the Army in 1955 and attended basic training in Ft. Bliss, Texas. He became a medic and dental technician at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and was honorably discharged in 1958. While in Denver, he became a sales representative for Frontier Airlines, where he met Sharon Aden and married soon thereafter in 1961. They had two children: Jeffrey Scott Tinlin in 1962 and Suzanne Leigh Tinlin in 1965, whom he loved and adored beyond words. While Dan and Sharon eventually divorced, they remained good friends.

Dan found his everlasting love in 1962 when he moved to Gothenburg, Nebraska: the tight-knit community that he loved and that loved him back ten-fold for 60 years. He was widely referred to as “Grandpa Dan,” “Uncle Dan,” and the “Town Mascot/Ambassador.” He exuded joy, eternal optimism and had an off-the-charts zest for life. He had A LOT of fun. His orneriness equaled his genuine affection for the community that surrounded him. He always remarked how blessed he was and said on repeat: “If I die tomorrow, I’m fine with that. I’ve lived a good life.” Boy, did he ever.

Dan’s natural talent of striking up conversation with basically anyone, anywhere translated into a successful career in sales. It’s not surprising that he started at a young age selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door, is it? In 1962, he introduced himself into the Gothenburg community as its new owner of the bowling alley. In 1969, he moved from bowling balls to emergency alerting radios as a sales representative for Plectron Corporation in Overton for 10 years. His next (and final) career stop: the insurance industry. In the 80’s, Dan worked for several insurance agencies before he joined the Home Agency in 1990 and later became a partner. He worked closely with Jim Baldonado to help clients with all types of insurance needs. A short time into his Home Agency tenure, Dan earned the title of #1 crop insurance salesman in the country.

Dan lived life to the fullest to the very end, requesting and enjoying several hospital “sponge-shots” of fine Scotch. One final toast - going out “Dan-style.”

Dan is survived by his son, Jeffrey (Diana) Tinlin of Mokena, IL; “adopted” daughter, Jennifer Stauss Story (Mark) of Bennington, NE; grandchildren, Brandi (Joe) Wentworth of Plano, IL; Sean (Kristen) Tinlin of Avon, IN; Dillon Tinlin of Kissimmee, FL; Hudson Windrum and Campbell Windrum of Lincoln, NE; and great-grandchildren, Derek Wentworth of Plano, IL; Victoria Wentworth and Caden Wentworth of Plano, IL; and Annalise Tinlin of Avon, IN.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne Leigh Tinlin; brother Robert Bruce “Pete” Tinlin; and parents, Ingrid and Bruce Tinlin.

In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Make a Wish Foundation, Team Jack Foundation or The Burg.

Visitation will be held at the American Lutheran Church, Gothenburg, NE; Sunday, December 18, 2022, 3:00 - 6:00 pm with the family present from 3:00-5:00 pm.

Funeral Services will be held at American Lutheran Church, Monday, December 19, 2022 at 10:30 am with Pastor Doug Hjelmstad officiating.

Interment will follow in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.