Butte lost a true ambassador on December 6, 2017 when Daniel John Lean was unexpectedly taken from us while on his early morning walk – an activity he delighted in starting with each day. Dan loved life and lived it fully – influencing the rest of us to do the same. Golfing at the Butte Country Club was Dan's favorite addiction. He played almost every day. As a matter of fact, Dan was so in touch with the course he had named almost every tree on it. "I think I'll hit into Alice today!" But no matter if Dan was playing well or shooting badly on a given day – "any day playing on someone else's grass" is a good day. Dan just loved being out there with his buddies or his family. The Holidays have always been Dan's favorite time of year. Although he loved working in his yard year round - December he put on a full court press to set up elaborate light displays. His goal was their yard being seen from the space station. Dan loved to feed people. When he cooked – Dan cooked for an army. One of his favorite meals included blood sausage – a family tradition. The king of coupons – never seeing a sales flyer he would throw away. Dan was tenacious. The fish pond in his front yard is a case in point. Failure was just not in Dan's DNA. Dan was a connector and a collector of people. His many lifelong friendships are a testament to his loving character and Butte charm. Dan was the first to help others – cutting and hauling countless cords of wood for Colleen's parents in Brown's Gulch. On the flip side, Dan was a master napper. Even courtside in New Orleans for the NCAA championship game did not stop him from taking a little doze.
Dan Lean was a talented math teacher, but it was with coaching that he influenced generations of Butte young people. He loved sports, but thrilled when his grandchildren gave him the opportunity to be a bystander. He happily sat at dance recitals, volleyball games, swimming matches, wrestling meets, basketball games and football. His grandchildren were the highlight of his life. Dan could also be counted on "sneaking a peak" at this grandkids playing golf.
Dan started his teaching career in 1966 and his coaching career at West Jr High in 1972 then transferred to Butte High School in 1974. Dan refereed Montana high school athletics games from 1967-1977 for the MHSA/MOA in Butte and the surrounding areas. He was assistant football coach for Butte High School from 1974-1993 with state championships in '77, '81, '91; runner ups '74,'75, '86, '87. Dan was assistant basketball coach for Butte High School from 1976 through 1994 then took over head coaching duties from 1995 through 1997 with a state basketball championship in 1984, runner ups in '89, '90.. Dan was honored to be included in the Butte Sports Hall of Fame for coaching both football and basketball during those championship years. He assisted with track at Butte HS and helped coordinate and run the Butte track meets for many years. Dan was part of a small group involved in the development of the Butte Softball Association in 1968 and assisted that group as they fostered the success of organized softball in Butte. Dan was also was heavily involved in numerous coaching clinics and camps supporting developing skills of Butte youth.
Dan Lean retired from Butte High School on June 7, 1997. He then worked seasonally with son Cory for One Call Locators until 2001. In 2001, Dan took a position teaching math at Butte Central Catholic High School. Dan really enjoyed his math students and the Butte Central Community in general and his experience there helped him to retire again three years later. This time Dan enthusiastically embraced the change. He took all his abundant energy and happily focused on other pursuits – including sometimes working for his son Cory in his utility locating business.
Dan played WordWithFriends every day, finished Sudoku in pen, and always had a complex jigsaw puzzle going in the living room. He developed a whole new group of new friends online – many he never had the opportunity to meet. Dan had a special gift for making and keeping friends.
Dan Lean is preceded in death by: his parents John & Pauline (Pajinich) Lean, brother Bobby, and sister Paulette Niemi, and mother-in-law, Charlotte Webb.
Dan is survived by his wife and best friend Colleen Lean; sons Cory (Kim) and Coby (Heather), daughter Camy (Russ), and their mom Lorrie Anderson. grandchildren: Kellen, Scout, Kennedy, Saylor, Kendellyn, aka Gussey, and Kyler. Siblings Gary (Dala) Lean, Darlene (Fred) Booth, Rosalie Riley; brother-in-law George Niemi. Adoring in-laws: John Webb, Webb Harrington (Greg Anderson), Paul (Jo) Webb, Amber Webb (Ron Burns); Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins and the entire Serbian community.
A celebration of Dan's life will be Tuesday, December 12 at 11AM at St. John's Church with viewing at 10:00 AM, 1500 Majors Avenue, Butte, MT. A reception will follow at the Butte Country Club. The Lean family requests you bring your favorite photo of Dan for our memory board. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to donor's choice in Dan's name.