Ipswich, SD: The celebration of life for Daniel Himanga will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Hecla, SD. Pastor Beth Wolff will officiate the service. The family requests casual clothing, your favorite motorcycle brand/event shirts if you have them.

It is with profound sadness that we announce Daniel John Himanga passed away peacefully on his 58th birthday, August 28th, 2025 after a tragic accident, surrounded by those he loved.

Daniel was born August 28, 1967 in Ellendale, ND to John and Delores Himanga of Frederick, SD. He was raised on one of the three original Himanga brothers’ farms. He later settled in Ipswich, SD where he lived until his death.

Daniel was a jack of all trades. He could tell you how to do anything, and if he didn’t know, he would figure it out like the true tinkerer he was. Throughout his life he worked as a farmer, welder, and electrician. He added welding equipment to the home farm that he used for many repairs and even some art projects.

Daniel dreamt of having a loving wife and children. His dream came true when he met and then married Joyce on April 1, 2006, and became an instant dad to her children Elisha, Natalie, Elizabeth, Joey and Joshua. He never once called them his stepchildren; they were always his. Each one of them connected with him in many different ways including cooking, music, DIY projects, cars, motorcycles and everything in between. Daniel’s biggest joys in life were his grandchildren, he became a grandpa only 23 days after getting married! He was an amazing grandpa. He spent as much time with his grandchildren as he could and always had time for them. Daniel was still a child at heart, so he was never annoyed at the little games they wanted to play and would play right along with them.

Daniel was a kind, compassionate, loving man and was dubbed a “Gentle Giant” and “Like Superman” by his friends. His son-in-law said his appearance, personality and adventures resembled Paul Bunyan. He poured his heart and soul into everything that he did, including surviving Lymphoma. Daniel had an adventurous spirit and loved to play “stuntman” as a teenager (let’s be honest, even as an adult). Daniel enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding and anything with a little thrill. He loved animals, especially dogs, and was even the owner of a couple pure-bred wolves for a period of time that were tagged by NASA. Early on, Daniel was able to purchase a giant lime green Steiger that he loved mudding with. He would race around gravel roads on his dirt bike and built wooden ramps to jump with it. He even reinforced an old Dodge Charger and jumped that as well. Riding his Harley while jamming to AC/DC was his favorite hobby. He and Joyce went to many bike runs including the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as often as they could.

Daniel is survived by his mother, Delores Himanga; wife, Joyce Himanga; children, Elisha (Jeremy) Laird, Natalie Lone, Elizabeth (Brandon) Manz, Joey (Rainy) Severson and Joshua (Nicole) Severson; his grandchildren: Amelia, Ava, Keelee, Joanna, Holly, Treyton, Memphyis, Greyson, Penelope, Archer, Griffin, Skylar, Dom, Lucas and Amanda; siblings: Wendy (Randy) Bushby, Kristy Himanga, Bruce (Lisa) Himanga and Alan Himanga; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends, including his Sylte work family.

Daniel was preceded in death by his father, John Himanga; grandparents, Mathew and Fannie (Tuohimaa) Himanga and Harry and Helen (Mares) Rexinger; many aunts and uncles; and his most beloved dogs, Harley & Aggie May.