Daniel A. Detten

Daniel "Danny" A. Detten, 80, of Amarillo, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on September 7, 2024.

Rosary will be said on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 6 p.m. at St Francis Catholic Church, 5005 Klinkle Rd in Amarillo. Mass will be celebrated at the church on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 10 a.m., with Interment following at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. 

Daniel Arthur Detten was born on February 14, 1944, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Amarillo, Texas. He was the fifth of the 13 living children of Arthur Oscar Detten and Evelyn Beatrice Mack. He attended St. Francis School for grades 1-7 and Price College in Amarillo for 8th grade through graduation. He was a lifelong member of St. Francis Catholic Church, where he received all his sacraments. He served the church in many ways: as an altar boy, a lector, mowed the church and cemetery grounds, on the parish and finance councils and chaired the annual sausage dinner. 

Danny married Bernice Elizabeth Reining on December 18, 1965. They moved into the “Little House” next to Danny’s parents while their new home was being built about a mile away. In November of 1966, about a month after they moved in, expecting only one child, twin boys were born to their surprise. Two daughters would later complete the family. Danny and Bernice lived in this house until moving to Park Central in Amarillo 2 years ago. 

Danny farmed and ranched all his life. At age eight, he worked a full day on the farm. His mom would bring him honey-buttered rolls and a quart of iced tea to help keep him going until supper. In 1978, he and Bernice started their own operation; it was always a family affair. “Danny and the boys” farmed and ranched many years together. Danny continued feeding cattle and running the operation along with Jeff until he couldn’t overcome the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease. 

Throughout the years, Danny served on various boards in Amarillo and Panhandle, including the Highland Park ISD school board, Production Credit Association, and Panhandle Co-op. 

Danny will be remembered for his hard work ethic. Nothing was more important to him than his faith and his family. 

Danny is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Evelyn Detten, and sisters, Madelyn Duby, Phyllis Campbell, and Roseann Wells. 

He is survived by his wife Bernice; children: Danny and Sharon Detten, Jeff and Peggy Detten, Dana and Larry Koetting, and Janice and Matt Sowder; siblings Arline Rohrbach, Steve Detten, Carolyn Jeter, Elaine Detten, June Gabel, Mary Hanss, Cheryl Demas, Lois Pearce, and Janelle Detten; grandchildren Kate, Jessica, Audrey, Lindsey, Jenny, Anna, Dean, Jodie, Scott, James, Logan, Garrett, Cole, Dylan, and Jake; and 14 great-grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Danny’s memory to Capuchin Poor Clares Monastery-Amarillo, Sisters of St. Francis Convent- Amarillo, and Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Light – Panhandle.