Daniel Mylander

Dan was born in Chicago, Illinois, on Sept. 30, 1951, to Marilyn (Erickson) and Marvin Mylander. He was raised in Escanaba, and graduated from the Escanaba Area High School in 1969. He was the oldest of five siblings, including sisters Debbie, Donna and Diane, and brother Doug.

As a natural-born athlete Dan excelled at any sport he tried, from a young age through adulthood. His youth and high school careers in baseball, basketball, and football were documented frequently in U.P. papers as he competed at the varsity level as a sophomore, junior and senior. He was a team leader by example — doing what needed to be done for the success of the team — making the basketball assist instead of taking the shot. He also appreciated the arts: he loved to sing and performed with the madrigal singers and in the musical plays during high school and maintained this love of music and the arts throughout his lifetime.

After attending Central Michigan University for THREE years after high school, Dan enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam War — which soon entered its end phase — and served as the company clerk at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, helping returning soldiers re-enter civilian life.

Returning to Escanaba following the service, Dan began working at the Mead paper mill as a union employee and eventually rose to — and retired from — the mill in the management position of paper machine supervisor. Of all his many accomplishments, Dan’s proudest achievement was raising his three boys: Kevin, Cory, and Casey. Dan was ultimately the primary caregiver and provider for his boys, and he made sure they had every opportunity he could afford them — frequently traveling locally, around the state, and the country to transport and watch them participate in the sports they loved. And he never missed a concert or other school functions the boys were involved in; his world revolved around them. Dan’s devotion naturally extended to being a big part of his grandchildren’s life.

A die-hard Detroit and Michigan-centric sports fan, Dan attended Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, Pistons, and MSU games with friends and family over the years. He and Kathy had season tickets to the Green Bay Packers (a big ask for a Lions fan) for many years and Dan suffered with grace through upwards of 15 straight Lions losses at Lambeau Field.

Playing a round of golf with Dan was low key and relaxing; the conversation never lulled and the laughs seemed to never stop. He loved his regular golf days at the Escanaba Country Club, Iron County’s Young’s, and at the courses in Surprise, and always made it home safely with a good story or two to share. He carried that low key fun-loving attitude to the pickleball courts in Iron River, Iron Mountain, and Surprise, ending each game with a laugh and a smile and maybe a razz or two.

Dan was an easy but loyal friend. And although he enjoyed spending time with friends and family, Dan was always his best self with his companion and best friend Kathy. Whether it was a trip biking across Europe or enjoying the bike trails of the Northwoods followed by margarita Monday, golfing, or playing pickleball, they enjoyed each other’s company immensely. They were the first couple on the dance floor at the party and the last to leave at the end of the festivities.

A remembrance of Dan would not be complete without noting that he was a “lawn guy.” One of Dan’s rare solo activities, he spent hours cultivating and curating immaculate lawns. Any property where Dan lived will have had a golden age of a lush green lawn in its recent past. Dan loved a good lawn, and he was proud to make it happen: he did it right. What he loved, he loved completely, be it his spouse, family, friends, sports, or even his lawn. He loved right.

We all miss Dan’s love. We miss his charm and charisma: a knowing smile and genuine laughter you could see in his eyes. We miss his wisdom: he knew what words were needed or when silence was comfort. We miss his humility: never boastful and without guile (well, rarely!). We miss his dependability. You could always count on Dan.

Dan was preceded in passing by his parents; in-laws Marvin and Barbara Kaski; special nephews Josh Kaski and John Hammar; and brother-in-law Ken Curtis.

Dan is survived by his wife, Kathleen Paulson and her son, Kyle Paulson (Sarah Szwejda); his son, Kevin Mylander; his son, Cory Mylander (Jen Sebeck), grandchildren Ayden, Ailiyah, and Aubrey, and great-grandson, Braxton; his son, Casey Mylander and granddaughter Jersie; his siblings; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to acknowledge the friends and family in Crystal Falls and Surprise who helped Dan and Kathy over recent months.

An athletic scholarship will be established in Dan’s name.

Condolences to the family can be sent to kpaulsoncpa@gmail.com or 14300 West Bell Road #168, Surprise, Arizona 85374.

A celebration of Dan’s life will be held on Jan. 7 at Sun Village in Surprise, Ariz. and this coming summer in the Upper Peninsula. Details of the U.P. event are forthcoming.