Dan Lee Woodin, 62, died from complications of lymphoma on September 24 at his Ames home, surrounded by his wife and children. Visitation will be from 3-6:30 p.m. Monday, September 30, at First United Methodist Church, 516 Kellogg Ave., Ames. A Celebration of Life will follow at 7:00. Attendees are encouraged to honor Dan by wearing Cyclone colors. A private graveside service will be held later.
Dan was born on September 1, 1951, in Storm Lake to Donald and Gretchen (Hawley) Woodin and grew up on a farm near Laurens. He graduated from Laurens High School in 1969, and Iowa State University in 1974. At college, Dan -- then called Woody -- met Jackie Masterson of Boone. Their first date was a midnight picnic at Inis Grove Park; they returned a few months later and Dan proposed. The couple was married in 1973. They lived in Des Moines, where Dan worked for American Republic Insurance Co., then returned to Ames in 1977 where Dan became a programmer/analyst at ISU's Administrative Data Processing Center (ADP). He remained in that department, now known as Information Technology Services.
Dan was a Cyclone through and through, with family get-togethers and holidays planned around football and basketball games. In fact, football was an all-day event, with Dan heading to the store at 6:30 a.m. to pick up food for the often-themed tailgate party, including one catered sit-down dinner.
Forever, Dan cared about others, especially children. He coached and umpired youth teams for years, even when his children weren't involved. In addition to his years at ISU he made time to teach--more than 20 years at DMACC and, later, at William Penn College in Des Moines.
In 2008, he ran for the Ames Community School District Board of Directors with no agenda other than to help children. His children had graduated, and he saw service as an opportunity to help move the district forward. He wanted to attend the September 23 meeting but was by then unable to do so. His family attended in his honor, hearing Superintendent Tim Taylor share that Dan faced the world with unparalleled hope and optimism, knowing that happiness comes in caring for others, especially children. The crowd gave President Woodin a standing ovation. Later, friends filled the Woodins' front yard in what would become the community's benediction.
Dan is survived by his wife Jackie and children Audra (Mark) Watson of Huxley; Austin (Melissa) Woodin of Ames; Annon (John) Schwegler of Ankeny; Anson Woodin and girlfriend Holly Nguyen of Ames and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother and brother Dave (Nancy) Woodin of Laurens, and sister-in-law Judy Mertens of Johnston as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a multitude of friends. He was preceded in death by his father and brother-in-law Randy Mertens.
All will miss his ever-present smile, unforgettable chuckle and his mantra to live each day as if that were the one by which you'll be remembered.
Memorials may be directed to the Ames Education Foundation/Dan Woodin Endowment or the MGMC Foundation/William R. Bliss Cancer Center, where Dr. Michael Guffy and staff delivered the most compassionate care a patient could hope for.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com.