Danny Lawrence Sollom

Danny Lawrence Sollom fought a valiant battle against cancer, but the disease ultimately won, and Danny left us on December 31, 2023. Dan had a charismatic and magnetic personality and was the epitome of a class act. He leaves a legacy of family, friends, and community who love and miss him deeply. Dan was born on September 27, 1949, in Grand Folks, North Dakota. His family moved to Duluth, MN, in the early 1960s. He graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School in 1967 and then attended Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, MN. In 1969, he started his illustrious radio career as a DJ in Kalispell, MT. In 1972, he moved to Grand Forks, ND, to work at KRAD radio, and from there he went to KNOX radio. Dan’s buoyant personality, smooth voice, and interpersonal connections brought him not only lucrative work in broadcasting, but it also brought him the love of his life, Denese Olson. They were married on October 5, 1974, in Grand Forks and their journey of love, laughter, mutual respect, and diverse experiences began. They moved to Montana, where Dan worked in radio for 8 years and where their daughter, Kaley Elizabeth, was born. Dan’s career took the family to many different places, and he was always amazed at Denese’s resilience and willingness to go wherever the next journey would take them. That journey eventually brought Dan and a very pregnant Denese to Wenatchee on Apple Blossom weekend in May of 1984, where Dan began as the General Manager for KYSN Country. Their son, Brady Lukas Montana, was born a few weeks later, on June 9th. KYSN’s first show aired on July 31, and you may remember Dan’s very popular show “Sollom in the Morning.” Dan often took a motorcycle pilgrimage to the homeland (North Dakota) during his tenure with KYSN, taking his listeners with him along the way. The family then moved to California for a brief time, until Dan was offered ownership interest in Wenatchee’s KXA as a startup station. In 2003, he chose to make a major career change, and left broadcasting to begin a successful motivational consulting business. Dan retired in 2015. Dan had many interests, but his most passionate were motorcycling and golf. He and Denese covered many miles touring the United States on their BMW, meeting new people, and spending time with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts, who became lifelong friends. When he decided to hang up his motorcycle “hat,” Dan fully immersed himself in his passion for golf. He spent numerous hours on the course enjoying the game, the outdoors, and his golfing companions. Dan shared many of his experiences in his golfing column in the Wenatchee World called “Swing Away.” Dan truly loved the Wenatchee community and volunteered in many ways. One of his favorites was directing traffic and parade entries at Triangle Park for the annual Apple Blossom Festival Grand Parade. He was an incredible “Papa” to his grandsons, dad to his kids, husband to his wife, and a wonderful friend and community member. He was preceded in death by his father, Nordland "Whitey" Sollom, his mother, June Elizabeth Larsen, and sister, Mari Sollom. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Denese Sollom, daughter Kaley Sollom, son Brady Sollom, brothers Kirby Sollom and Clifford Morrison, and grandsons Joshua Lawrence Sollom and Hejduke Fankhouser. In lieu of flowers, Dan’s family would appreciate a donation to the American Cancer Society. This is Dan Sollom signing off…you make it a great day! Swing away Dan. You are loved. Memorial/Celebration of Life Details: Date: July 16, 2024 Location: Highlander Golf Resort, 2920 8th Street SE, East Wenatchee, WA 98802 Memorial: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. Memorial golf event: 12:00 p.m. (invitation only – for more information contact Greg McEwen at gmacwins@gmail.com). · Celebration of Life: 5:00 p.m. - a casual social gathering to celebrate Dan’s life will follow the golf event. This will be no-host for beverages and food, but Highlander will have items available for purchase. Please come even if you are not golfing! Any changes and additional details will be provided here closer to July 16.

Danny Lawrence Sollom

September 27, 1949 - December 31, 2023