Daniel Lee Cross, age 68, of East Helena

Daniel Lee Cross, age 68, of East Helena, Montana passed away at home on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 8:15 a.m. after suffering a stroke on June 26, 2025.  He was born on April 20, 1957 in Oakland, CA and moved to Montana in 1969.  Daniel was raised by his sister Carolyn, was a twin and attended school in Helena.  Daniel was preceded in death by his mother and father, Evelyn and Anthony Cross, and maternal grandmother Irene Kreamer, mother and father-in-law Beverly and Robert Susag and sister-in-law Cynthia Susag.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Beth) Susag, stepdaughter Angie Stinchfield, her husband Luke and two children Skyleigh and Jackson; brother-in-laws Bill and Mark Susag. Daniel is also survived by his sister Carolyn Morris, brother Gary Cross, and twin sister Denise Blankenship.  Finally, he is survived by his stepmother, Tedra Cross, and stepsisters Jvanna Kovach and Renda Pound of the California Bay Area.  In addition, Daniel also has many neices and nephews.  Daniel and Elizabeth recently celebrated their 45^th wedding anniversary on April 27, 2025.

Daniel loved barbeques, Portuguese beans, lemon meringue pie and ice-cold beer.  He was a typical Montanan and loved the outdoors:  camping, fishing, boating, waterskiing, snowmobiling, riding his four-wheeler, target shooting out his back door and blowing stuff up. He also delighted in driving his boat fast and purposefully trying to dump skiers, while laughing the entire time. Daniel attended live concerts, Rock in the Rivers, and enjoyed people watching and attending shows in Vegas while trying to hit what he referred to as the “big one”.  Daniel’s favorite holiday was July 4^th and after all these years it’s still a miracle he went to heaven with all his fingers intact.  He is well known for his firework displays, competing with neighbors at the bottom of the hill, often yelling “Oh yeah, Watch This!”.   He especially loved lighting many cannons simultaneously and everyone knew to stay out of his way.  We all suspected this contributed to his hearing problems.

Daniel loved watching wrestling and boxing matches and playing with kids, as he was a kid at heart. Daniel was a tough bird, entered this world at a whopping 3 pounds 4 ounces and stayed in the hospital a month before joining his twin at home.  He survived a heart attack at 50 while at work, a ruptured spleen and broken ribs while driving his four-wheeler in the mountains, a mild stroke at 62, and a second major stroke at 68.

Daniel was tough but he also had a big heart and often cried watching movies.  Daniel smoked like a chimney and always had time to have a cigarette and a conversation with his friends. Most of all, Daniel loved his dog Lincoln, and his family and friends. Daniel was recently baptized by a good friend, Ken Nolan. And after, another good friend Dave Clarke who knew him well said, “you better dunk him twice!”

Daniel was a character and liked to perform practical jokes on friends and family. One of his more memorable moments, on a dare, in his 20’s, Daniel streaked through the Sambos Restaurant in Helena during the dinner hour in his birthday suit or as Daniel would say, “buck ass naked”.  Much to his twin’s surprise, she found him the following day on the front page of the Independent Record.

Daniel worked hard all his life, was dedicated and took pride in his work.  Daniel wanted to be a professional chef and although he did not attend culinary school, he worked at many restaurants in the Helena area.  Most recently he was the kitchen manager for the Montana Nugget Casino for the last 30 years, and was famous for his Corned Beef and Cabbage and Mulligan Stew he served on St Patrick’s Day.  Enough said, about this time, Danny would say, “Denise, shut up.”

I will miss you Danny boy!  Daniel will be loved and missed by everyone who knew him.  We will all be watching the night sky to see your fireworks in heaven.  Until we meet again…

Daniel has been cremated by Big Sky Cremations and requested the family  spread his ashes at one of his favorite spots.  Memorials in Daniel’s name may be sent to Hospice of St Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT  59601.  Please visit below to offer the family condolences or share a memory of Daniel.  A celebration of life reception will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Montana Nugget, 612 Euclid Avenue, Helena, MT. Please bring a story to share.  There is limited parking, so please park on the westside of the Lundy Center.   Thank You!

Service Schedule

Celebration of Life

11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Saturday August 23, 2025

Montana Nugget

612 Euclid Ave

Helena, MT

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