Michael Wallace Danielson

Michael Wallace Danielson, 72, passed away on August 4, 2023. Mike was born September 11, 1950, in Concordia, Kansas, to Whitney and Maxine (Ouellette) Danielson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Whitney and Maxine Danielson; brother, Jeff Danielson.
Mike is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Koch) Danielson; brother, Gary Danielson (Brenda); sister, Julie Erickson (Tom); brother, Jon Danielson; son, Eric Danielson (Jesseca); son, Chris Danielson (Katie); grandson, Tyler Danielson (Christy); granddaughter, Ashlynn Danielson and numerous other relatives.
Mike served as a sergeant in the United States Air Force from January 1971 until January 1975, finishing his service in 1977. Many of his friends and family may have known that he served as a Vietnamese Linguist. This is typical of what was known, but those that served with Mike knew more than the rest. Mostly, this is because the work he conducted in support of the Vietnam War wasn’t declassified until around 2008. Still, Mike never discussed his work with anyone and not until recently did the family learn a bit more. Mike attended many schools in preparation for service in Vietnam, including Defense Language Institute-Texas, National Cryptologic School, Advanced Vietnamese-Maryland, Water Survival-Florida, and Jungle Survival-Philippines. Mike was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal. Mike was an Interpreter-Linguist/Interrogator conducting Signals Intelligence and working out of ground and air bases in Thailand and Ryukyu Island, Okinawa, Japan. Mike served in the 6908th Security Squadron at Nakhon Phanom Air Base-Task Force Alpha and Teaball Operations, supporting air and ground operations. While with the 6990th Security Squadron, Okinawa, they conducted air operations under Combat Apple over the Gulf of Tonkin and other locations.
He loved spending time doing outdoor activities, including traveling, hiking, walking, rock hunting, photography, and gardening. After retirement, Mike and Carol spent their summers in Creede, Colorado, enjoying the mountain views and creating several memories. Family was his biggest passion, as he was always there to support and provide guidance to those he loved. Mike had a very generous and giving heart, evident by spending numerous days volunteering at Pueblo Cooperative Care Center, making a difference within the community. The compassion that Mike had to help others led him to make the decision to be an organ donor, so that he could continue to assist those individuals in need. He will forever be loved and deeply missed by family and friends.
Memorial Service
The funeral service will be held on September 8, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 212 N. High Street, Clyde, Kansas, where a luncheon will be held directly following the service. Interment of Ashes will be on September 9, 2023, after the 4:30 p.m. mass at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2900 Kimball Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas, in the Columbarium where Mike will be laid to rest.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:
Friends of Mineral County Emergency Services, P.O. Box 454, Creede, Colorado 81130 or Pueblo Cooperative Care Center, 326 West Eighth Street, Pueblo, CO 81003-3005