Daniel Merle Schwans

Daniel (Danny) Merle Schwans, age 80, from Salem, SD, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, July 17, 2023 at St. Mary’s Church in Salem with burial following at St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Visitation will begin at 6 pm on Sunday with a prayer service at 7 pm, at Kinzley Funeral Home in Salem.

Born on March 10, 1943, in Mitchell, SD, Danny was the eldest of five children born to Arthur (Tom) and Julitta (Schaefers) Schwans. His siblings include Ron (Marilyn) Schwans, Mary (Jim) Lohr, Pat (Ron) Grohs, and Amy Day.

Danny grew up in Bridgewater, SD, attending St. Stephen’s Grade School and graduating from Bridgewater High School in 1961. He married Bernardine Schroeder on September 28, 1963 and together they had three children, Troy, Jay, and Roxanne.

Early in his career, Danny worked at a local gas station and Schroeder Elevator before finding his passion in the newspaper industry. He began working for The Bridgewater Tribune and eventually became the owner of the newspaper. Additionally, he entered into a partnership to own The Salem Special. Eventually, Danny became the sole owner of both the Salem and Bridgewater newspapers. In 1972, he relocated his family to Salem.

In 1987, Danny’s son Troy joined him in the business. They expanded their operations by starting a shopper publication called The Country Trader and later acquired The Miner County Pioneer, a newspaper in Howard, SD. Together, they managed the four publications and a printing business for many years. Danny retired in the early 2000s, selling his share of the businesses to Troy.

He is survived by his children, Troy (Laurie) Schwans of Salem, SD, Jay (Tesa) Schwans of Hartford, SD, and Roxanne Schwans of Osprey, FL; grandchildren Rachel Schwans, Brittany Kirschenman, MiKayla Johnson, Alex McDermott, Jacob Eichacker, and Joshua Eichacker; great-grandchildren Silas, Tobin, and Henley Kirschenman, Harlow and Wesley Johnson; and Esmae and Emmy McDermott. Danny is also survived by his brother Ron (Marilyn) Schwans of Ivanhoe, MN; Mary (Jim) Lohr of Ames, IA; Pat (Ron) Grohs of Salmon, ID; Amy Day of Omaha, NE; his special friend Karen Feterl of Salem, SD, as well as several nieces and nephews.