Danny was born on November 26th, 1941, in Huron, South Dakota. Danny grew up in De Smet and was a standout basketball player in high school. He graduated from De Smet High School in 1960. Danny married Barbara Bergerson in October 1964. In 1967, Danny started work at Kingsbury Rural Electric Association (REA) in De Smet. In 1998, after 31 years, he retired from the REA as the Lineman Crew foreman. Danny was then able to focus all of his attention toward his passion of raising and breeding top quality Quarter Horses on his place east of De Smet.

Danny and Barb’s two daughters, Shannon and Nicole, were the light of Danny’s life. As a family, summers were spent attending horse shows and rodeos. Danny was a self-taught horseman, and he spent his life learning all that he could about the animals he loved. His vast knowledge spanned all aspects of the industry. He had a special understanding of bloodlines, breeding and training. Danny could easily tell you about the bloodline of any horse you would ever want to know about. Danny’s success in his breeding program included raising multiple AQHA halter champions as well as countless standout performance horses across multiple disciplines. Danny loved to share this passion with others and was happy to share his wisdom with anyone wanting to learn about the animals he loved. He understood the animals so well and he was happy to help fix any issue one may have with a horse. His heart was always for the horse and teaching people how to understand training from the horse’s perspective.

Danny and Barb moved to New Underwood, South Dakota, in 1990 where they continued the legacy of Beck Quarter Horses. Danny moved to Platteville, Colorado, in 2010 where he lived and cared for his horses, until his final day. Danny was blessed to be doing what he loved most, taking care of his horses, on his favorite holiday, Jesus’ birthday, when he was called home to be with his Savior. What a homecoming it must have been. No matter where Danny lived, it was important to him to find a place to worship the Lord he loved so much. Danny and family attended the Christian Missionary Alliance in DeSmet, Danny and Barb attended the Baptist Church in New Underwood and Danny attended the Gilcrest Baptist Church in Gilcrest Colorado.

Danny is survived by his wife, Barbara Beck of New Underwood, South Dakota; daughter, Shannon Beck of Granbury, Texas; daughter, Nicole Schmidt and her husband Brandon of Platteville Colorado; sister, Jeannie Heilman of Madison, South Dakota; nephew, Shawn Leach of Madison, South Dakota; and niece, Sara Johnson of Waterloo, Iowa. Danny is also survived by numerous extended family members and many 4-legged kids, especially his border collie Dixie, that miss him dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 16, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Moser Funeral Service Chapel 3501 S. 11th Avenue Evans, CO 80620.

*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.

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