Final Salute

SIOUX CITY – Daniel (Dan) Eacret passed away in his home on Thursday, October 26, surrounded by his family. Services will be held at 2 pm on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Waterbury Funeral Service in Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave.

Dan was born on October 22, 1940 to Frank & Grace (Riley) Eacret in Storm Lake, IA. He graduated from Sioux City’s Central High School in 1959. Dan loved cars, learning mechanic skills growing up. In high school, he began learning auto upholstery. Dan joined the United States Navy on June 13, 1959. He served 2 tours with the elite Navy Seabee’s in Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica. This adventure allowed him to “walk around the world” at Pole Station in the South Pole. Dan loved sharing stories about the places he got to visit, including New Zealand, Hawaii & Kanton Island, to name a few! There was nowhere to spend money in Antarctica, allowing Dan to come home with the cash to buy a 1962 Corvette. It started a long line of cool cars, all souped up, dressed up & leaving others envious.

Dan returned home to Iowa in 1962, driving his blue Cadillac home from Rhode Island. He has always loved seeing the world through a windshield. He remained in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1964.

His first son, John, was born December 28, 1965. In the 1970’s, Vans by Dan was created. Building custom passenger vans before they were available in the retail market. Dan joined the Masonic Lodge & Scottish Rite. He also became a Shriner, to help children. He spent over 4 decades in make-up as a Shrine Clown, proudly serving as President of the Abu Bekr Shrine Clown unit.

Daniel’s 2nd son, Timothy was born December 26, 1977. He began teaching Tim the upholstery business just 2 years later, by attaching a shop broom to Tim’s peddle tractor. In 1983, they relocated to Colorado Springs, CO. He spent several years working to build an upholstery shop for a large car dealership. As Tim grew, he went to work with Dan at the dealership. Eventually, Dan’s reputation was well known along the entire front range of Colorado. They decided to venture out on their own, building trophy winning show cars year after year. His work has been featured in auto magazines, calendars, die casts, etc.

Returning to Le Mars, Iowa in 2009, Daniel achieved his lifelong dream of owning a gas station, when he purchased the 2nd oldest gas station in Iowa! Dan and his youngest son Tim built an incredible upholstery shop in that garage. They enjoyed 12 years of success in that location, all while working together every day. In 2020, their business model transitioned over to working on Semi Trucks only. Dan loved the work he was doing & passing it on to his son. There was nothing that made him happier than sitting in front of his sewing machine. Daniel was so proud of his work at EZ Pete Interiors. He was able to make it to his first truck show in July 2023, in Oakland, NE. It was the highlight of his year, seeing some of his work on display. His pride was plastered across his face in the form of a smile.

Daniel is survived by his two sons: John Colshan and his wife, Michelle, Timothy Eacret and his wife, Tricia, two granddaughters, Sydney & Courtney Colshan, sister, Dorothy Swanson, two nieces: Teresa Valdez, Deb Davis (Jeff) and a lifelong Best Friend: Don Fymbo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Grace Eacret, and his wife, Mary Eacret.

Published by Sioux City Journal on Oct. 31, 2023.