Daniel William Sturges

Daniel William Sturges, 40, of Okemos, MI, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026 at home. Born on May 30, 1985 in Madison, WI to John and Margaret Sturges, Dan was an adoring husband, father, son, brother, friend and coach.

A talented student and athlete from a young age, Dan was an especially gifted hockey player. He graduated from Verona Area High School where he earned three varsity letters in hockey and was a two-time all-state and all-conference honoree. In 2003, Dan played for the Team Wisconsin National Championship winning team, and in 2004, Dan captured a USHL National Championship with the Waterloo Blackhawks. In 2005, Dan followed a longstanding family tradition and became a proud Michigan State Spartan. As a member of the Spartan hockey team, Dan won an NCAA Championship with the Spartans in 2007 and went on to share the ice with his brother A.J., much to the delight of his father, John, also an MSU hockey letterman.

It was at Michigan State that Dan met the love of his life, Becky Bolen. A talented player on the varsity field hockey team, Becky’s beauty, intelligence, athleticism, and joyful spirit made Dan and Becky a perfect match. They were married in Denver, CO in 2013 and welcomed beloved sons Kellan in 2016 and Cooper in 2017. Dan delighted in making a loving home for his family–whether coaching Kellan and Cooper’s games, working in the garden, or decorating for the holidays. He enjoyed making art with the boys, cueing up a playlist for whatever vibe the room needed, being a goofball at the cottage, and going on adventures with his family. He found his true calling in coaching his children to find what they love and to become the best versions of themselves.

These core beliefs, instilled since childhood, transferred directly into his professional life. Dan excelled as Director of Hockey Operations for the Michigan State Hockey Team, working tirelessly to support the Spartans at every turn. His superpower was his ability to read the room, sense what each player needed, and to show up in every sense of the word. Prior to his time working at Michigan State, Dan’s talents led him to coach ACHA hockey at the University of Colorado; he worked with both Division II and Division I programs. Dan led the Division II team to the league playoff title in 2018 and was honored to have been selected by his peers as Big Mountain Hockey Conference Coach of the Year. Simultaneously with his head coaching duties at Colorado, Dan also served as an assistant coach at Valor Christian High School where he worked under former Spartan assistant and Denver head coach, George Gwozdecky.

Dan’s effortless good looks and magnetism were never part of the humble, kind, unassuming way he presented himself. His genuine care for others led him to many community-service initiatives at MSU, including co-founding the hockey team’s “Shoot for a Cure" campaign, raising money for children’s cancer. Dan saw character, not clout, and never hesitated to offer approachable, empathetic support to all who needed it. Dan was hardworking, loyal, hilariously funny, one helluva dancer, and full of fierce love for all the people in his life.

Dan is survived by his true love, partner of 21 years and wife of 12 years, Becky; his children, Kellan and Cooper; parents, John and Margaret; sister, Julia (Jordan) Eisenberg; brother A.J. (Lindsay) Sturges; parents-in-law, Paul and Geri Bolen; sister-in-law, Rachael (Chris) Moriarty; sister-in-law, Renee (Aleksei) Pavlov. Dan adored his nieces and nephews: Eli, Margot, Roland, Juliette, Gabriel, Kieran, and Alek. Other survivors include many aunts, uncles, cousins, teammates, players, and friends. Dan is preceded in death by grandparents Eugene (Mac) and Julia (Judy) McCleary and Albert and Elaine Sturges.

Dan will be missed greatly; may the memories provide comfort and love.

A memorial for Dan will be held at Munn Arena on February 3, 2026. Guests are welcome to arrive beginning at 5:00 p.m., with a service of remembrance starting at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will conclude at 7:00 p.m.

An additional memorial for Dan will be planned and hosted in Madison, Wisconsin at a future time.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the boys’ educational fund can be made via the following:

Checks payable to: Kellan and Cooper Sturges Mailed to: First Business Bank, 401 Charmany Drive, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53719 ℅ Aaron Osten