Daniel "Dan" Applegate died peacefully at the Hays Medical Center on June 11, 2010 with his family by his side. Dan was born on December 14, 1936 on a farm in Norton County. He was the oldest of four children of Lester & Leita Applegate.

Dan grew up attending various schools in Norton, Osborne, and Graham Counties. He graduated from Hill City High School in 1954. Dan attended Manhattan Christian College for two years and graduated from Ft. Hays State University with a degree in Elementary Education as well as a Masters Degree in Administration. After teaching school for one year in Bogue, he married Sarah Lowry on August 22, 1958 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They made their home in Hill City while teaching two years in a country school in Densmore and then six years in Morland. In 1966, they moved to Monument and he began teaching at Oakley-Monument USD #274 where he remained for 32 years. They had two children while living in Monument, Gina Lucille and Joel Daniel. Dan thoroughly enjoyed the Monument community. After living in Monument for eight years, they purchased a home in Oakley in 1974. Gina and Joel continued to attend elementary school in Monument and Dan had the pleasure of teaching both of them in the 5th grade. Dan retired in 1998, after teaching 41 years in Kansas schools.

Dan was a faithful member of the Oakley Christian Church and held offices as Deacon and Elder. He was involved in teaching Sunday School for many years and attended the local Promise Keepers breakfast until a couple of years ago.

Dan enjoyed working for various farmers during the summer months and mowing lawns with the family. He also enjoyed gardening. During the winter, he would clean the snow for his neighbors. He mowed and removed snow until Parkinson's set in.

Dan was a wonderful husband and father. He was a man of integrity, gentle and transparent. He had no greater joy than when he was able to be with family and friends.

Dan was preceded in death by parents Lester and Leita Applegate. Survivors include wife, Sarah (Lowry) Applegate, son, Joel Applegate and wife Korlynn of Beloit, daughter, Gina Applegate-Shutts of Salina, brothers, Richard Applegate and wife Ida of Florissant, MO, Leroy Applegate and wife Monnie of Tucson, AZ, sister Vicky Fox and husband Dwight of Pahrump, NV and 5 grandchildren, Graham, Whitney, Pierce and Mallory Applegate, and Couper Shutts.

Dan was dearly loved and will be missed by all his family and a host of friends.