Danny Aftem, age 82 of Westhope, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024 at a Bottineau nursing home.  His funeral will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 10:00 am at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Westhope.  Visitation will start at 5:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm on Tuesday at the church.  Burial will be at the Lesje Lutheran Cemetery.

Daniel Aftem, a son of Oscar and Gina (Brenden) Aftem, was born on March 17, 1942 in Bottineau.  He attended country school. After his mother passed, he moved to Minot with his dad and attended Minot High School and worked as a bus boy at the Parker Hotel.  After a year they returned to Landa and Danny worked on the family farm.  On November 14, 1959, he married Gwendolyn Foss at the Mouse River Church.  They made their home on the Aftem family farm.  In 1958, he started pumping oil wells with Vern Skaaden.  In 1972, with the help of Gwen, he formed Orbit Pumping Services.  Danny retired from farming in 2008 and in 2014 his son Troy took over Orbit.

Danny was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Westhope.  He loved his work even though the work was hard and the hours were long.  He got to enjoy his trip of a lifetime, when he and Gwen and family spent 3 weeks in Hawaii touring 3 islands.  He was proud of his accomplishments in life and he loved his family dearly.

He is survived by his wife, Gwen; sons, Donald (Lisa) Aftem of Minot and Troy (Liz) Aftem of Westhope; grandchildren, Trey Welstad, Taylin Aftem, Mason Mach, Lauren Mach and Addison Mach; sister-in-law, Lorraine Aftem and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, hew was preceded in death by his son, Michael Aftem; sisters, Gloria Arneson and Joane Dranselka; and brothers, LeRoy Aftem and Merle Aftem.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofunerahome.net.