John Gottneid

John Daniel Gottneid was born February 13, 1960 in Moshi, Tanzania East Africa, the son of Allan J. and Alice M. (Lindbeck) Gottneid and died August 31, 2025.

Dan attended elementary school in Tanzania at Augustana Lutheran School and the International School Moshi and high school at Rift Valley Academy, Kijabe, Kenya. Following high school he came to the U.S. to attend college at Midland University in NE, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Bethany College, Lindsborg, KS earning a BS in geology and a BA in art specializing in ceramics. Then in 2021 he earned a Master’s Degree in creative writing from Linwood University, MO.

As a missionary kid growing up in Africa, African art had a huge influence on his pottery making and drawing. Making functional pieces of pottery encouraged him to become a chef using his pottery creations for cooking and serving. Over the years he’s cooked at several different places and even owned a restaurant for a short time. His last job was heading up the youth summer lunch program in Lindsborg at Messiah Lutheran Church. He was a quiet person who loved doing art work, reading, writing and watching British comedies. His family, friends and co-workers have fond memories of his kindness, generosity, sense of humor and always having a good story or joke to tell.

Preceding him in death were his parents and brother-in-law Darrel Rusch.

Dan is survived by his brother David Gottneid (Jane); sister Susan Rusch; niece Christina Carlson (Justin); nephew Tim Rusch and great nephew and niece, Grady and Malin Carlson.

A memorial service for Dan will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 3:00 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 402 N. 1st St., Lindsborg, KS 67456.

Memorials: Red Barn Studio Artist-In-Residence Program or Bethany College’s Art Department