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of Dexter, Michigan, age 55, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Michigan Medicine. He was born May 12, 1970, in Mt. Clemens, MI, the son of Robert and Emilie (Otte) Polens.

Daniel graduated from Chelsea High School in 1993. He moved out on his own in his twenties, took the bus to Ann Arbor, and worked in fast food and was fairly independent for 25 years. Dan was a member of Common Chords Chimes group and Saturday Morning Challenger Bowling League at Chelsea Lanes for 30 years. He loved the Lord and attended Peace Lutheran Church, where he was an Usher and Reader.

Dan loved sports- especially professional wrestling and baseball. He loved the Tigers and collecting baseball cards. He was a jokester. Dan loved to travel going to most states and many national parks. He also went to Spain, Morocco, and Mexico. Dan loved to draw and color geometric designs. He had a large tie collection and loved suspenders. Dan was empathetic, he was proud of his nephews, and a blessing to his family and many others.

Dan is survived by his parents; brother, Rob Polens of Chelsea; two nephews, Ben and Nate; along with many cousins; and aunts and uncles.

A memorial service was held Saturday, June 14, 11:00 am at Peace Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan with Pastor Kurt Lambart officiating.  Memorial contributions can be made to Peace Lutheran Church.

Click here to watch the video of Dan's memorial service

You can use the form below to share a memory or leave a public message for Dan's family. Please allow 24 hours for us to review and post your comment. 

Comments  

#4 Sue Tustin Lloyd 2025-06-13 18:27
I knew Dan as a neighbor when he was young. He always made me smile with his engaging personality and fun conversations. Bob, Emilie, and Rob provided a wonderful home and community for Dan to thrive in and become as independent as he was. He was cared for and loved, and will be missed.
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#3 Matt Redder 2025-06-12 18:34
We always knew him as “Danny“ but knew him as a younger person. He was always a delight and very personable, even though we did not see him much later in life he was a special person. He could not have luck than to have you as a mother. He had a very good life.
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#2 Colin Olds 2025-05-30 09:30
I had the pleasure of knowing Dan for almost 10 years. He was a wonderful individual and a very special person. Dan could make anyone smile and he would bend over backwards for any of his friends.
Dan loved WWE wrestling and would watch weekly so I know there's a big wrestling ring in the sky that's waiting for him.
Emilie and Bob feel free to reach out to me if there's anything I can do to help.
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#1 Gary Talley 2025-05-29 16:10
I mistakenly called him Danny just after we met almost 27 years ago. At the time my daughter Sarah was dating his brother Rob. He politely told me his name was Dan, not Danny. From then on until the last time we saw him at Ben’s college graduation the first of May, we would talk. He loved to tell stories. He lived the best life be could. I am so honored to have met him.
Dan overcame a lot in his short life.
I will miss him
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