Daniel John Ptak

Ptak, Daniel John, age 66, St. Paul, MN, passed away October 10, 2024, at Lyngblomsten Care Center after a brief illness. Dan was born and raised in NE Minneapolis and graduated from Edison High School in 1976. He was an honors student, participated in gymnastics on the rings (he could walk on his hands around the block) and played trumpet in the marching band. He was elected Snow Days King his senior year. Dan attended the College of St. Thomas, majoring in political science. In the fall of his junior year (1978), while on his way to an evening class, he had a severe motorcycle accident that changed his life. Though doctors initially predicted a small chance of survival, Dan held on, spending three months in the hospital with a broken back, jaw, wrist, and knee, as well as a traumatic brain injury. Dan persevered further with a year of rehabilitation at Courage Center, but was left with permanent physical disabilities and a brain injury that progressively worsened over his lifetime. Dan did return to his studies at St Thomas, earning his degree in 1981. He then began graduate school with the hope of pursuing a career in law, but his injuries made this path too challenging. Over the next decade he worked a number of different jobs, but eventually this became too difficult for him, as well. With the help of his father and Senator Paul Wellstone, Dan was able to move into a subsidized Independent Living Facility in downtown St. Paul. He spent 32 years at Central Towers, where he enjoyed a sense of comfort, safety, and contentment. During his decades there he enjoyed getting to know many of the residents. He enjoyed talking with people and hearing all about their lives. He was well known for sharing tales of daily encounters and memories of years ago. A devout Catholic, Dan attended Church of the Assumption regularly. He was also a lifelong Democrat with a deep interest in politics and served as an election judge many times over the years. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruth Ptak, and brother Patrick Ptak. He is survived by his siblings Michelle (John) Luzaich, Michael (Lori) Ptak, and David (Betsy) Ptak, and his siblings' children: Troy (Amanda) Isensee, Stephanie Ptak, Kirsten (Andrew Montgomery) Ptak, Carter Ptak, and Bennett Ptak. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday December 10, 2024 from 5-7 pm, with a prayer service at 7:00, at the Washburn-McReavy Hillside Chapel, 2610 19th Avenue NE, Minneapolis ,MN 55418. A private interment will be at Fort Snelling. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Second Harvest Heartland Food Shares (2harvest.org).

Tributes

Daniel John Ptak

January 19, 1958 - October 11, 2024

Tributes

Daniel John Ptak

January 19, 1958 - October 11, 2024

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