Danny Doyea passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, with his family by his side after a long courageous battle with Covid pneumonia. 
Danny Raymond Doyea, 64, of Beltrami was born on December 30, 1956 to Raymond and Lorraine (Kennedy) Doyea in Crookston, Minnesota. Danny was baptized and confirmed at St Joseph’s Church in Fertile and attended Fertile Beltrami High School, graduating in 1976.
Danny met the love of his life, Mary, on September 3, 1977 in Kinmount, Minnesota while visiting his brother Lewis. It was love at first sight for the couple and they were united in marriage on March 29, 1980 at St Joseph’s Church in Fertile. Their true love has been witnessed by many over the last 41 years and admired by all. They made their home in Beltrami with their two children, Crystal, and Jesse. Danny was an amazing husband and father. He raised his family proudly in the small town he loved so much. Crystal was daddy’s little girl and he deeply cherished his little “minnow.” Danny had a very special bond with his son Jesse, and Danny was so proud of the man Jesse had become. Their father taught them the importance of tradition and family values which is surely to continue through future generations with the additions of son-in-law, Jake and daughter-in-law, Jami to the family.
Danny worked for area farmers before becoming employed at Cenex where he worked for many years. He fixed a lot of tractor tires, changed many quarts of oil, and cleaned and shined vehicles like no other. Many of Danny’s life-long friends were met there. Danny and Mary purchased the Beltrami Mall in December of 2001. He then started Danny’s Service, which he turned into more than just a shop. The Mall held many family gatherings, birthday parties, and created many special memories. Danny continued to run his business until 2010. He then worked seasonally at Agrimax and the Polk County Highway Department. He became a full-time employee with Polk County in July of 2018. Danny loved his job and was very proud of his mowed ditches and freshly plowed roads.
Danny was a member of St Joseph’s Church, Beltrami City Council, Sandhill River Golf Course, Fertile Conservation Club, and Sandhill Snow Cruisers. He also served on the Beltrami Fire Department and First Responders.
Danny had a need for speed. He enjoyed fast cars, loud motors, and loved demolition derbies. He enjoyed riding snowmobile, cruising on four-wheelers, and will always be remembered for riding the longest wheelies on his Yamaha dirt bike.
Danny was the president of the Doyea Hunting Club. Danny loved being in the woods, cutting trees, and mowing trails. Danny loved to hunt and fish. He had many hunting and fishing buddies throughout his life and was able to share many experiences hunting rabbits, grouse, ducks, geese, pheasants, deer, elk, mule deer, antelope, moose, and Texas pigs. He reeled in many walleye and crappie but his favorite type of fishing was hard water hunting, spearing! His passion changed from being a hunter and a fisherman to a guide as he became “Papa.” He loved spending time in the deer stand, on the riverbank, and in the fish house with his grandkids, teaching them his skills. Papa had a favorite hunting buddy and that would be his grandson, Hunter Doyea. He would always say, “It’s like hunting with a little Jesse.” His grandkids were his pride and when they weren’t enjoying the outdoors, he loved watching them play sports. He was the loud guy next to the mat watching his grandsons wrestle, he liked to call them his “Animals.” He could be heard anywhere on the sidelines cheering them on at a football game as well. Papa had a special spark in his eye watching his granddaughter Myah, holding her shotgun shooting clays. Danny loved his grandchildren and was extremely proud of them. He had a special bond with each of them and will continue to watch over them every day.
Danny especially enjoyed talking and spending time with his siblings. He was very proud of his big brother Lewis for serving in Vietnam. Danny loved music and always found meaning in each song. He mostly listened to the songs he grew up with and made sure the grandchildren would continue to do so as well. And boy, could he dance! Danny, like his sisters, who he nicknamed the “three black crows,” could make a dance floor out of whatever surface his feet were standing on when the music hit him just right!
Although he felt most comfortable in a red and black “chicken picker” flannel shirt and Carhartt pants, Danny liked to dress up on the golf course. He teed off with many different people on many different courses over the years. He played on Monday and Wednesday night leagues and really enjoyed couple’s night because it meant he got to golf with his “brown-eyed girl” Mary.
Danny loved people and he lived to spread joy. Whether he was at Northside gas station, a neighborhood bonfire, or his favorite, a family get-together, when Danny talked, people listened. His storytelling was a gift. When he told a story, it felt like you were there. He could visit with anyone and everyone and people had a better day and a bigger smile after talking with him.
Danny enjoyed keeping things neat, tidy, and well-groomed. He took pride in maintaining his yard, his shop, keeping “old blue” shiny, and the city of Beltrami. He was often found cutting grass and weed whipping around town. He was very proud of his little town, and he fought extremely hard to come home to it. Danny remained grateful for his care while he continued to fight. His kind heart showed, and his strength was truly amazing.
Danny is survived by his best friend and wife, Mary Doyea; his children, Crystal (Jake) Long, Annandale, MN, Jesse (Jami) Doyea, Beltrami, MN; six grandchildren, Jackson Bunde, Myah Doyea, Tavin Long, Hunter Doyea, Oaklee Long and Landon Doyea; sister, Diane Mulcahy, Fertile, MN; brother, Lewis (Marilyn) Doyea, Bagley, MN; sisters, Debbie (Danny) Larson, Fertile, MN, and Lana (Craig) Vanderlinden, Ada, MN; sisters-in-law, Ginny (Michael) Crain, Milaca, MN, and Laurie (Dean) Konen, Nowthen, MN; many nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and Marty, the “stray cat.”
Danny is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lorraine Doyea; father and mother-in-law, Ben Hoffman and Virginia Disse; brothers-in-law, Jim Hoffman, Babe Hoffman and Bill Mulcahy; and great-nephew, Chase Hron.
Funeral Mass: Friday, December 3, 2021, at 11:00 AM, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fertile, MN.
Visitation: Thursday, December 2, 2021, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with at 7:00 PM prayer service all at the church.
Masks are optional when attending the visitation and funeral.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.eriksonvikfh.com
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home of Fertile, Minnesota
