BUSHTON — Daniel ‘Digger’ R. Wimmer, 72, of Bushton, Kan., passed away on May 28th at his home. He was born in Ellsworth, Kan., on Aug. 30, 1953 to Joe and Doris (Nienke) Wimmer.

Dan married Glenna Boardman in 1974, and together they welcomed two sons, Dan and Josh. Though their marriage later ended, Dan’s family continued to grow with the birth of his daughter, Leisha, whom he considered one of his greatest gifts. In 1990, Dan married Janie Geier, and through this union he gained three sons, Jamie, Eric, and Ross, whom he cherished as his own.

For over 40 years, Digger served as a firefighter. He served the Garden City Fire Department (Lieutenant Dan) as the Fire Marshall preceding his additional fire service at the Bushton Volunteer Fire Department. He built a life anchored in hard work, determination, and unending perseverance.

Digger was a man that could run a bulldozer, welder, tractor, semitruck, and any other piece of equipment that was put under him. He embodied hard work and believed that it was the measure of a man. Digger also lived to serve his neighbor and never said no to using his skills to better someone else’s day. His hard work brought him success and allowed him and Janie to spoil and bless their children and grandchildren. Due to his many years of firefighting and the risks he had taken he also carried an anchored peace in “meeting his Maker” on the other side of the clouds.

Dan is survived by his children, Dan (Missy) Wimmer of Bushton, Josh Wimmer of Bushton, Leisha Wimmer of Holyrood, Jamie (Amanda) Martinez of Scott City; and daughter-in-law, Sarah Miranda of Galt, Calif. He is also survived by his siblings, Roy (Ann) Wimmer of Holyrood and Linda Togerson of Stafford. Dan leaves behind many grandchildren who brought him great joy, Brevan Martinez, Dillon Wimmer, Mason Wimmer, Gabby Martinez, Jaelynn Wimmer, Zoe Wimmer, Kason Geier, Maddie Wimmer, Kenzi Martinez, Richard Geier, Benton Decker, Wyatt Decker, and Remington Wimmer, as well as four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife and best friend, Janie Wimmer; his sons, Eric Geier and Ross Geier; his parents, Joe and Doris Wimmer; his brother, Randy Wimmer; his brother-in-law, Rex (Joe) Togerson; and his grandson, Gabriel Cortez Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Salem Church, 517 Ave. E, Bushton, Kan., with inurnment following at the church cemetery (Salem-Friedhof Cemetery). Memorial contributions can be made to the Bushton Fire Department, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439. Condolences can be left at parsonsfh.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Parsons Funeral Home

P.O. Box 45

Ellsworth, KS 67439

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 4, 2026