NEW ULM–Daniel T. Reilly, age 85, of New Ulm, died on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at his home in New Ulm.

Per his request, a private family-only graveside service will be held in the New Ulm City Cemetery – Soldier’s Rest.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter Anne Reilly and her husband Richard Dunlap of Ohio; daughter Katie Reilly, her husband Marc Spooner and their children, Everett and Owen, of Alaska; his sister Ruth Ann Ptak of Oregon; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers William and Eugene, and sister Patricia.

Daniel Thomas Reilly was born on December 9, 1937 in Sandstone, Minnesota to Frank H. Reilly and Louisa M. Reilly (McCormack). He grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota and graduated from DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis in 1955. He received his BA and MA from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. In 1960 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served three years in the Army Security Agency. He served tours of duty in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Japan. He was employed by the Mount Clemens Public Library in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, from 1970 – 1976. He married Barbara J. Harrison of South Charleston, West Virginia on July 31, 1970 in Mount Clemens, MI. In 1976 he was appointed Director of the New Ulm Public Library, a position he held until his retirement in 2001. Over the years he was an avid sailor, boat builder, and talented woodworker. He also built street organ replicas and played them as an entertainer for a number of years. Truly one-of-a-kind, he was a man of many interests and talents who was curious about many things. He was known by all to march to the beat of his own drum, and maintained his fiercely independent streak until the end. He will be missed.

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