On January 25, 2021 our hero, Daniel J. Badovinac, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family.Dan was born in March 1944, to Mark L. and Grace K. Badovinac in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was the 4th of eight children born to this union. Growing up Dan loved fishing, ice skating, and swimming. He graduated from Catholic Central in Grand Rapids, MI. Dan enlisted in the US Air Force in 1963 and was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls Montana where he met the love of his life, Eileen Williams, his wife of 54 years. Dan and Eileen were married in Havre, Mt. June 4,1966. After 4 years of military service, he was honorably discharged in January 1966. The couple then moved to Colorado where they started their family. He was employed full time at I.M.L. trucking while attending Denver Community College full time. In 1971 Dan joined the Colorado Carpenter Statewide Apprenticeship J.A.C. Program which consisted of 4 years of schooling and on the job training. Dan completed the program in 1975 as a Journeyman Carpenter. Dan loved being a carpenter and worked in many aspects of the carpentry trade including commercial and residential. One his favorite jobs as a carpenter was the construction of the 26 story Colorado National Bank Tower (US Bank Tower) in downtown Denver. He made good friends everywhere he went and was known for his honesty, friendly demeaner and hard work. In 1976, Dan and Eileen decided to leave their wonderful Colorado family and friends and move their three young daughters back to Montana. The family purchased acreage in the Birdseye area west of Helena and began building their Montana home. Dan worked construction by day and built the family house by night. He moved his family into a beautiful, well-built home one year later. A dream come true for all of them!Dan continued to work as a carpenter in Helena and surrounding areas. He worked on numerous construction sites including the Power Block, Walking Mall, Montana State Capital, God's Love Homeless Shelter, New Federal Reserve Bank, PCA Building as well as countless other commercial and residential buildings. Dan was also an instructor for the Montana Carpenter Apprenticeship program in Helena. In 1993 he took the carpenter job at Fort Harrison V. A. Hospital and retired in 2009 after 15 years as the carpenter at Fort Harrison V.A. Hospital. Dan had many interests and passions. He loved hunting and fishing with his many friends and relatives. He loved making bread, building furniture, and bluebird houses. He built beautiful unique wood boxes from beetle killed trees from his land. He loved to read, especially James Michener, and he studied and read his bible daily. Giving "crunch burgers" to his girls was a daily routine to their delight and joy. Dan invested in things of value, whether that be with his time, money, or service to others.Dan was very involved in 4-H with his 3 daughters and was also a 4-H Woodworking leader for more than 10 years. He served as a Birdseye Volunteer Fireman and a Trustee for the Birdseye Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Dan and Eileen joined Last Chance Chapel in 2002. Dan was instrumental in the building of the church along with many other projects at the church. He served his church well. His love of God and his fellowman was so apparent in his life. He loved his church family and would do anything to help them, with kindness, respect, and love. If you knew Dan you will most likely remember how he came alongside you to help, encourage, share a smile or handshake. His many brothers and sisters were an important part of his life and he treasured conversations and time spent with them.He loved Eileen's family as his own and enjoyed many adventures with them. He adored his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. His eyes sparkled when they came around. They were the apple of his eye along with his 3 daughters. He will be remembered most for his, gratitude and awe of life's blessing, humble spirit, dry sense of humor, friendliness, work ethic, his world-famous "panicakes", but most of all his strong faith, his quest for truth, and the love he had for his family.Dan leaves behind his wife, Eileen, of 54 years; daughters Angie (David) Kantorowicz, Amie (John) Trudnowski, Andrea (Darren) Laumeyer; grandchildren Grace and Nick Kantorowicz, Johnna, Sadi and Alli Metz, Noah and Alec Azure; great-grand daughter, Blaine Avery Murphy; his siblings Mark (Iverna) Mercer, Julieanne Barnhart, Kathy (Lloyd) Rutkosky, Tom (Barb) Badovinac, Patrick (Shirley) Badovinac, Virginia decd. (Gordon) Gregory, Mary (Kim) Long and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and all his family and friends who loved him. We will always remember Dan saying to the Lord after every prayer, "And bring us all closer to you. Amen."We will miss him beyond measure but are so grateful to know that he is with his Lord and Savior, knowing in our hearts that those who love the Lord will be with him again in paradise.John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."Special thank you to Dr. Charles Lam, Dr. Thomas Weiner and all the St. Peter's Cancer Center nurses and staff, Simple Cremations, and Pastor John and Gloria Cathcart.A Celebration of Life and will be held;Saturday February 13, 2021 at 1pmat the Last Chance Chapel6240 Raven RoadBirdseye Area, Helena MT.Reception to follow.Please give a honk or two on your way out, to honor Dan.