Brian Robert Daley

Beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend to all.
Brian was born in Rochester, Minnesota, and—aside from his years at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities—spent his life in Lewiston. A devoted family man, he loved his wife Cathy and their children, Lauren and Evan, above all else. Throughout his 60 years, Brian made it his mission to meet nearly every person he crossed paths with. He left this world unexpectedly on October 2, 2026, ready to greet every soul in heaven.
Brian and Cathy were married on June 13, 1992, and together they raised two beautiful children. He was a proud father who, even while busy doing what he loved on the farm, always made his children a priority. Whether Lauren and Evan were participating in school activities or competing in sports, Brian could be found in the stands or along the track, cheering them on with unmistakable pride. Long after their sporting days ended, he continued to share their accomplishments with anyone who would listen, beaming as he spoke.
Family time was central to Brian’s life. He cherished annual family vacations, dinners with Cathy and the kids, and Sunday coffee at his parents’ home. He was a lover of people, babies, pets and Jeeps; an ambitious farmer; a generous neighbor; and avid puzzler.
Brian thought he was headed away from agriculture when he left for college in 1984, but the pull of the farm he loved brought him back home. His deep appreciation for farm life shaped his days. He jokingly said that his psychology degree proved useful not only while working with cattle, but with the countless human interactions he enjoyed. The only thing that rivaled Brian’s love for farming was his love of people, and most days the two went hand-in-hand.
Brian had a gift for bringing joy to everyone he encountered. No matter where he went, Brian made connections. Armed with a vast knowledge of obscure facts—and more often, stories from the farm—he could strike up a conversation with anyone. Each interaction seemed to result in a new friend, and often a new visitor to the farm. His life mantra, “never had a bad day,” reflected his ability to find joy in both the small and the grand moments. He understood that relationships were life’s true treasures. His collection of Life is Good T-shirts offered a preview of his personality before he even spoke.
Brian loved going for walks with Walter the family Corgi, waving to neighbors, and chatting with anyone who stopped. Each evening, he’d sit on the porch and continue waving to every passing car. He knew everyone in Lewiston and the surrounding communities—and they knew him.
Brian’s generous spirit was evident every day. Nothing brought him more joy than sharing what he had with others. He was well known for purchasing quilts at the Fool’s Five auction and gifting them to delighted recipients. Each December, he spent hours crafting wooden reindeer, perfecting every detail so he could surprise friends and family with a Christmas treasure they would proudly display.
Brian is survived by his wife Cathy; children Lauren Hohensee (Arron) and Evan Daley (Riley Olson); parents Mike and Sandy Daley; siblings Mark Daley (Sonja), Shelly DePestel (Dean), Matt Daley (Barb), Neil Daley (Hally), Ben Daley (Sara), and Megan Ruthchild (Rafi); and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents George and Helen Daley, Alan and Honey Howard, his father- and mother-in-law, Roland and Dorothy Terhaar and his uncle Bernie Daley.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, October 9, 2026, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston with the Reverend Michael Churchill officiating. There will be no visitation prior to Mass. Following Mass there will be a celebration of Brian’s life from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., with food provided and drinks to toast Brian available for purchase.
Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service – Lewiston is assisting the family with arrangements.