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FAIRMONT -- Mass of Christian Burial for Daniel F. Harris, 98, of Fairmont, Minn., will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont. Burial will be held following the service in Calvary Cemetery in Fairmont. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the time-of-service Thursday at the church. Daniel passed away Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at his home in Fairmont. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Daniel Frank Harris was born March 24, 1928, to Everett Sylvester and Lavina Henrietta (Girard) Harris, at the home of his grandmother, Mary Firard in Fairmont, Minn. Dan spent his early years with his parents on farms in the Granada, Welcome, and Hands Park areas, with his first school being a country school west of Hands Park. He graduated from 8th grade at a country school near Welcome, Minn., and began his high school education at Welcome High School before transferring to and graduating from Fairmont High School in 1946. Following his graduation, Dan helped his parents on the farm, worked for Rosen Livestock, Joe Girard Painting, and Melody Oil Company.
On June 29, 1950, Dan was united in marriage to Joan J. Oliver at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Fairmont, Minn. In the spring of 1956, he started Dan Harris Painting and Decorating. His wife, Joan, passed away in 1958. Dan continued to operate the paint business until his retirement in 2001.
On June 27, 1959, Dan was united in marriage to Anna Marie (Ann) Vortherms at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian, Minn. Their first home was in Fairmont, until moving to their present acreage in May of 1964.
In conjunction with operating Dan Harris Painting from 1956-2001, Dan was president of the Mankato Chapter of the Painting & Decorating Contractors of America.
Dan and Ann started the Harris Chinchilla Branch in January 1963. Chinchillas were a very import aspect of Dan's life and in 2003, Dan and Ann received the Master Breeders Award and in 2004, they were inducted into the Chinchilla Hall of Fame. Dan and Ann traveled to many shows, meetings, and seminars and shipped chinchillas to various areas of the U.S., as well as to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Canada. Dan was president of the Southern Minnesota Brance of Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative for many years and served as their delegate to National ECBC annual meetings. He was very active on the area and national levels, usually assisting and exhibiting at shows and seminars.
In addition to chinchillas, Dan also raised sheep, chickens, pigs, alfalfa, corn, and soybeans on their acreage. At the age of 91, and after 56 years of raising chinchillas, Dan finally retired, selling the herd. Dan painted for 51 years and raised chinchillas and sheep for over 50 years.
Dan was an active member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church and served as a communion distributor and usher for many years. He was a member of the Fairmont Knights of Columbus, who presented him the "Knight of the Year" Award in 2010.
Dan served as an active member of the Agri-Business Committee of the Fairmont Chamber of Commerce and was an early board member of Fairmont Go Corporation. He was a Boy Scout Leader, an adult leader & softball manager for Rutland 4-H Club, and a member of the Martin County 4-H Council.