Daniel Liesveld

Dan was a wholesale monument manufacturer. His company was in operation from 1922-1981 as the G&L Granite Company. Dan invented and patented the water jet channeling machine, which channels granite out of mountains with minimal labor and environmental impact. Mike patented the horizontal Water Jet that goes into the mountain and is used today. Most of the machinery Dan used in his business was invented by him. He began the Colorado Rose Red Granite quarry in 1947, which continues to produce quality monuments and stone for the Union Station and projects nationwide, thanks to his son, DJ and his grandson, Caleb. Dan was an accomplished artist and stone mason. In 1939, he hand-carved the Monument for Horace Tabor, visible at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

He was a champion sportsman, winning basketball championships in 1934 & 1935 as captain of the North High School Vikings. He enjoyed competing at Bowling and Golfing, shooting his age at 75. He loved playing cards, be it poker, pinochle, gin rummy, or bridge. He started a poker club in 1947 that is still alive today. Gary still plays in it today. He played Bridge all his life with several of his friends.

Dan was a captain in the Army Air Corps in WW2, where in the Pacific his skills at photography were well utilized, at one point photographing the raid over Tokyo.

Dan was always a future thinker, constantly adjusting to new realities. He did not dwell on the past at all.
He is survived by his three sons, Mike, Pat, and DJ, as well as his step-son, Gary, and all their wives and children.
He has four beautiful great-granddaughters.

Dan was very proud of his legacy of the people, Water Jet, and mountain of granite he left behind.