Daniel McDonell
March 26, 1974 ~ July 7, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Daniel John McDonell, who left us on July 7, 2024. He was 50 years old.
Dan was born on March 26, 1974, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to John and Kathy McDonell. He grew up in Marion, Iowa, where he attended Bowman Woods Elementary and Linn-Mar High School. After graduating, Dan enlisted in the army as a Stinger, shoulder-fired missile system crewmember. He served for two years, five months, stationed in Bitburg, Germany, and saw active duty as a Stinger serving in Turkey. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Dan obtained an associate's degree in electrical engineering from ITT in San Antonio, Texas, and later a bachelor's degree from Colorado Technical University. Dan then started his career working for National Instruments in Austin, Texas, for the following 24 years. After the pandemic, Dan made a career change, working for Verticurl as Director of Marketing Operations, moving back to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with his wife Nikki in 2022. The Verticurl company has generously donated to the Glioblastoma Foundation in Dan's name.
In his free time, Dan enjoyed a vast array of hobbies, sports, and interests. He was an avid motorcyclist, bicyclist, Mustang enthusiast, reader, and pianist. Dan had many causes dear to his heart including fighting against child abuse through his work with BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) as well as gun safety and training, giving classes around the Austin, Texas area. Dan will be remembered for his sharp intellect, witty humor, and his loyalty.
Dan's faith was a constant and important part of his life. He and his wife Nikki attended Veritas Church in Cedar Rapids.
Dan is survived by his wife, Nikki Viesel-McDonell; parents, Kathy and John McDonell; his sister Crystal Schaldenbrand; nephew, Noam Schaldenbrand; and his two loving dogs and cat, Riley, Roxy and Felix.
A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, 1844 1st Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday, July 17 from 4-6:30 p.m. There will be a time during the service for friends and family to share stories at 5:00 p.m. after military honors are conducted at 4:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, it was Dan's wish that donations be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation in his honor.
Dan will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Dan loved helping people and serving his community, we ask that guests bring non-perishable food items which will be donated to a local food pantry. Wearing happy colors is encouraged!
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
Some of my favorite Childhood memories were sitting at the McDonell dinner table laughing hysterically at Dan’s jokes. He had a terrific sense of humor, and as I recall, some pretty good impressions. I’ll miss you, Cousin.
This is definitely sad. I will miss seeing his happy face when I’d come to clean and having him have to give the pups a treat to settle down! He’s in heaven with Jesus! A new creation!
My deepest condolences to Nikki and the McDonell family. Dan was a great man, and a great friend. I will always look back fondly on the time we spent together here in Texas. He will be missed by all and forgotten by none.
My deepest condolences to Nikki and the McDonell family. Dan will be missed by all who knew him. I have faith that he’s now with the Lord.
Dan’s quick wit and great sense of humor is just one of his many qualities that will be missed by all that knew him. Peace be with him and his family.
I am truly sorry, such sad news. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dan was an incredible human being. I have the honor of working with Dan for almost two decades. He was a great person and friend. He meant so much to so many. He was the coworker who onboarded me on my first work trip at NI and I was able to take my last trip with him to France before he moved out of Austin. With a kind soul and a huge heart he will be missed because he was loved by so many.
My deepest condolences. Dan was such a wonderful person. Prayers to his family.
Linda Wallis-Maybin
John, Kathy and Crystal…..I am so sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. We are currently out of state, but will be praying for you!! God bless you all!
I am so sad to hear about Dan. I am praying for everyone’s comfort and peace during this difficult time. We had a lot of fun times together at Linn Mar. I always appreciated Dan’s humor, kind heart and enormous amount of energy. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear about Dan. You have my deepest sympathy. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Dan, you were a GOOD ONE. So many years later, it’s rare to remember meeting someone for the first time. You’re welcome to me with jokes and teasing to NI and became a very good friend throughout our time working together on the events team. You knew your stuff, you were so reliable and Funny as hell. The world isn’t as good of place without you in it and you will be so missed.
I worked with Dan in Austin for many years and have lots of fond memories. My favorite is my first and second interactions with him. The first time I met him, he had a long beard and looked as if he was a motorcycle gang. The next time I interacted with him, he had shaved off his beard and was wearing jeans and a polo shirt. I introduced myself to him because I didn’t recognize him! He had to convince me that he was the same guy. Haha! He got a kick out of that. He is missed.
Dan always had an advice for me for every situation possible. One of the funniest people I had the pleasure to meet, and also one of the best managers one could ever have. He was loved and appreciated in many places around the world. I’ll miss him. My sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Dan was one of the most beautiful people I have known. I worked with Dan for many, many (too many to count) years and he always made me laugh, think about things differently, and be a better version of myself. Some of my favorite memories include making the “multimedia team” intro video where he played totally against type as an irreverent biker ignoring all the rules. He brought lighthearted fun and meaningful impact to the people he interacted with. My heart goes out to his family and friends, he will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace Dan, Europe wouldn’t have been the same without you! I’m devastated to read of your passing. Your light was so bright that it certainly lit up a room. I will always remember you, all my memories of Europe were so much better for knowing you my brother from another mother. My condolences to Nikki and your family.
Daniel was one of a kind, in a league of his own. I met him back when I worked at NI. He had that sarcastic quick wit to him that always made me laugh. He was a kind hearted person who always made people laugh. My condolences go out to his wife, family and friends during this difficult time. He will be missed.
My heart fell when I heard the news. Dan was one of my favorite colleagues at NI, and I still carry many lessons he taught me years ago. To his family and friends, may you be comforted with good memories and stories of Dan’s life and impact.
With deepest love and sympathy,
We will miss “Dan McDonell”.
Dan was always in a good mood with a smile on his face no matter the circumstances and he could dissipate any negativity with his sharp, sarcastic wit. He was a great colleague and supervisor, his door cube was always open to collaborate or answer questions and was typically to the point. Dan has a good soul and will be missed by anyone who has met him. Dan, I hope to see you again on the other side.
Dan was so good to me when I was relocated to the US. It was nice to talk to him, always saying hi, always with a gentle smile. This is so sad.
Dan was bigger than life and is a man we truly admired. We will continue to pray for you during this difficult time. With Love and Respect.
We had the great fortune to meet Dan through our high school friend, Rene (not a girl). Rene had invited us to go out to diner where we first met Dan and Nikki. Dan was so inquisitive and became a friend through his thoughtful questions about our lives and children. Our second visit was during Covid where we would have virtual happy hour on facetime. It was at that time I saw his genuine, sweat soul and I/we were fans. When it came to celebrating our youngest son’s graduation, there was no doubt to invite Nikki and Dan to the festivities. I witnessed Dan having high level discussions with the adults and then found him in the garage geeking out with the teenagers. Truly a great soul. Though unaware, I watched him from afar and wished I had his genuine soul.
With love and respect,
The Knuffke’s
Reading through the tributes for my cousin I’m reminded of the amazement how one person’s life can touch so many. I’ve always known Dan to have a great sense of humor and a razor sharp wit. Even in the face of his prognosis, when we talked, he said something to the effect of… I have a good wife, good friends, and the Cubs won the World Series in my lifetime….what more could a man ask for. Made me chuckle a bit, same old Dan.
Until we meet again in that “Great Wrigley Field” in the sky.
We are sorry for your loss.
In loving memory of Dan! Love Angela and the Karam clan!