Daniel Mark Lauterbach

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Daniel Mark Lauterbach, our Danny, of Edson, Alberta, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the age of 59 years. The first of a set of twins, Dan was born on June 10, 1966, in Edson, Alberta, at the old Red Brick Hospital to William and Doris Lauterbach, with his sister Laurie following fifteen minutes later. 

From a very early age, Dan’s musical aptitude was unmistakable. He began playing piano and composing little sonatinas even before he had entered school. (Thank you, Mrs. Klapstein!) Throughout his school years, Dan competed in local music festivals and won many honors for his excellence in piano performance. Being part of a musical family, Dan also enjoyed singing in four-part harmony with his parents and sister. In addition to music, Dan excelled in academics and artistic endeavors, including figure skating and Ukrainian dancing.

In 1990, Dan moved to Vancouver and soon became immersed in the musical community there. He sang with the Vancouver Men’s Chorus for 30 plus years and was highly sought as an accomplished pianist and percussionist to accompany several additional choirs and ensembles, including Out in Harmony (formerly VLGC), A Vancouver Women’s Chorus, Rainy City, Glass Youth Choir, and the Rainbow Band. Throughout his years with the choruses, Dan spent countless hours composing original arrangements of the pieces to be performed. His rendition of “Rise Up!” was performed by a mass choir at the Unison Festival in Toronto in 2002. 

Besides music, genealogy became another one of Dan’s passions. Starting before the age of the internet, Dan researched his own heritage via letters, phone calls, and trips across the U.S. to various cemeteries. He relished being able to find connections between people and loved discovering and memorizing fascinating details about their lives. At one point, Dan took his friend Daniel Watson’s grandfather's autograph book and used it to trace Daniel’s ancestry back several hundred years. 

Dan was always caring for people and helping them to feel loved. He was often the first to welcome new chorus members, making them feel at home. Dan lovingly cared for and gave guidance to his dear friend Del for over 25 years in Vancouver and more recently in Edson. Dan also loved to make people laugh and was the recipient of the “Willi Z. Award” for his ventriloquy performance of a clever original skit with his dummy “George.” 

Dan’s attention to detail and his perfectionist tendencies were appreciated by numerous employers and coworkers over the years at The Edson Leader, Edson Post Office, and Revenue Canada. As Assistant Manager at the La Condesa building in Vancouver where Dan and his friends Daniel and Del lived for 20 plus years, Dan worked tirelessly and took great pride in transforming the roof deck into a haven of beauty with live flowers, bird feeders, and ornaments. Wherever Dan’s hand of creativity touched, he left the world a more beautiful place. 

Left to mourn Dan’s loss are many loving family members and friends: Dan’s parents Bill and Doris Lauterbach of Edson, Alberta; his sister and brother-in-law Laurie and Tom Bender of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania; nieces and nephews - Bethany Bender and Georgia Mae Lively of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Joel and Amy Bender with children Sparrow and Indigo of Columbus, Ohio; Micah and Shaina (and Baby) Bender of Grantsville, Maryland; Ryan Bender and Claire Bechter of Salisbury, Pennsylvania. Also deeply mourning his loss are Dan’s beloved life-long friend Daniel Thomas Watson of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Dan’s dear friend Delbert Wallace Gamble of Edson. Dan was predeceased by soulmate David Reid in 1992. Dan’s loss is felt deeply by many many friends and members of the musical community in Vancouver. Dan will be remembered as a beloved son, brother, uncle, musician, mentor, care-giver, companion, and very dear friend. 

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Edson Continuing Care Centre, 3825 6 Ave, Edson, Alberta, with interment to follow at the Glenwood Cemetery.

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