Dan Luney

Daniel "Dan" Luney, 73, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away on July 20, 2026, at Altru Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family.

Dan was born on November 3, 1952, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to John and Dorothy Luney. He spent his childhood in Albert Lea before moving with his family to Grand Forks in 1968. He attended Red River High School, where he met his sweetheart and best friend, Sharon Schneider. The two were married on February 16, 1974, at St. Mary's Catholic Church and built a life centered around love, hard work, and family. Together they welcomed their son, Matthew, in 1981 and their daughter, Shannon, in 1984.

Dan held many jobs throughout his life, but no matter where he worked, his entrepreneurial spirit was always shining through. He began his career working alongside his father at H.E. Everson's, where he traveled the region as a salesman. During one of those sales trips to the small town of Larimore, he discovered the local Dairy Queen was for sale. Never one to pass up an opportunity—or a good burger—he didn't hesitate for long before becoming known to many as "DQ Dan."

Dan and Sharon proudly owned and operated the Dairy Queen for many years. Together they also opened the area's first standalone Hot Stuff Pizza location, and later founded New Beginning Creations, a craft store that gave local artists a welcoming place to create, display, and sell their work.

After many successful years as business owners, Dan and Sharon sold their businesses and returned to Grand Forks in 1992. Dan held a variety of jobs before eventually joining Sharon at Dell Comm Communications, where she was his boss—and he'd be the first to tell you that's exactly the way he liked it. He was incredibly proud of Sharon and all she accomplished, and he was always her biggest cheerleader.

No matter where life took him, Dan made sure work never got in the way of what mattered most. Whether it was driving Matthew and Shannon to and from school each day, cooking dinner for the family, or simply being there when they needed him, family always came first. Dan retired from Dell Comm in 2024.

Retirement, however, wasn't really Dan's style. Instead, he turned another passion into a business by founding Danny's Pickles. What began as a love for making homemade pickles and salsa quickly grew into a local favorite. It wasn't uncommon for friends, neighbors, and loyal customers to stop by the house each week for their pickle or salsa fix. Sharon was by his side every step of the way, and together they enjoyed the friendships and connections the business brought into their lives. Dan was incredibly proud of what he had built from the ground up, and nothing made him happier than sharing his creations with others.

Dan's curiosity and love of learning never faded. Long before most people embraced new technology, friends and family knew him as "Digital Dan" for his fascination with the latest computers and gadgets. He eagerly followed advances in technology, space exploration, and discoveries about the universe, always excited to learn something new. His curiosity also led him to spend countless hours researching his family's history, tracing generations of the Luney family tree and delighting in sharing the connections and stories he uncovered.

Faith was a cornerstone of Dan's life and the foundation of his family. For many years, he welcomed others into his home for Bible studies and fellowship, and his steady faith carried him through both joyful and difficult seasons. Whether offering thoughtful advice, sharing words of encouragement, or reflecting on life's challenges, Dan was someone others looked to for wisdom and perspective.

Above all else, Dan cherished his family. He never missed a birthday, anniversary, or opportunity to make someone feel remembered and loved. He was the cook of the family and loved nothing more than having everyone gathered around for one of his famous "Danny's Burgers" hot off the grill. Whether it was organizing a family gathering, making a phone call to check in, or simply keeping everyone connected, Dan had a special gift for bringing people together. To his brothers and sisters, he was more than a sibling—he was a trusted friend, a steady source of support, and the heart of the family. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and his children could never resist trying to make him laugh. His greatest joy was simply being surrounded by the people he loved.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Luney, and his beloved dog, Izzy.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Sharon; his son, Matthew; his daughter, Shannon (Adam) Wiedman; his siblings, John (Bev) Luney, Corinne (Jim) Satrom, Ken (Lori) Luney, Tom (Patti) Luney, and Mary Jane (Scott) Thomsen; along with many cherished nieces, nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law, extended family members, and dear friends.

Memorial Service will be held, Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Amundson Funeral Home.Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Dan's memory by supporting a local small business, gathering with family and friends to share a good meal, and making time for the people you love.