Daniel S. Etzel

In loving memory of the Best Husband, Dad and Papa. Daniel Stephen Etzel passed away on August 14, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family after a four year health battle. Dan was born in San Francisco, CA on July 21, 1942. He was the son of Anna Wagner who married George Etzel, a former San Francisco firefighter. Dan leaves behind his loving wife of Forty-two years Julie (honey), his sons John Hayden and Steven Etzel, his daughters Lynnette Clarey and Stephanie Gale, his son-in laws Jon Clarey and NIcholas Gale. His grandchildren Brooke and Rylee Gale, Johnny and Amanda Hayden and Tyler and Jacob Clarey. His brothers Norman Etzel, George Etzel and sister Antoinette Hardstone. Brother in law Paul Hardstone and Sister in law Carlyon Etzel. Cousins Dale Faust, Charlene McClean, Chuck Pistoia and Michael Santarelli and numerous second cousins, nieces and nephews. Dan has been a fighter his whole life. At the young age of six, Dan was diagnosed with polio. He was the oldest polio survivor. He was told he would not live past twenty years old, little did the doctors know he would live to be 83yrs old. He had a drive that would not stop him. He did not want to be considered different or handicap (even though he clearly was). He spent many of his childhood summer days on his grandparents Lower Lake ranch. He graduated from High School and College at the top of his class with two bachelors degrees. After testing the waters with various jobs, he finally found his home at Kaiser Permanente where he spent 35 years in upper management. If a full time job was not enough, he also did real estate part time. Dan was always willing to take on anything from coaching the Kaiser softball team to washing dogs. After his 35 years at Kaiser he retired and went onto doing real estate full time. At one point he was the broker for three separate real estate offices. He had a love for dogs especially his Buddies Jazz, Stanley and Webster, and Julie’s Buddies Ewok, Scruffy and their last love Pluto. This led them to start a rescue group with other dog lovers, Dusty Paws Rescue. Over the course of 15 years they were able to save many animals and raised over $300,000.00. Dan loved Lake County and boating on Clearlake. He loved camping, outdoor adventures, train rides vacationing, in Hawaii and Disney! He had a real love for Donald Duck. Dan's love of sports was deeper than just coaching a work team. He was a die hard San Francisco 49ers fan! He loved the San Francisco Giants. But there was nothing he loved more than watching his granddaughters play Soccer and Flag Football or cheering them on for whatever they had taken on. He was their biggest fan always! There was not one person that met Dan that did not instantly love him. He is known by many as simply Papa, or Dad.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Daniel S. Etzel, please visit our floral store.