After being seriously wounded in the Jan. 4 Perry High School shootings, an Iowa high school principal died on Sunday, his family claimed. Dan Marburger's wife, Elizabeth, announced the tragedy on a family GoFundMe website.
"Dan lost his battle at 8:00 am, Jan 4," she wrote. "He fought hard and gave us 10 days that we will treasure forever." Gov. Kim Reynolds announced in a news release that she had ordered all state flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Marburger and encouraged others to do similarly. Her husband and she sent condolences.
“Our state is crushed by Dan Marburger’s death," Reynolds said. "Kevin and I offer our deepest condolences to his wife and family as we pray for their comfort during this very difficult time." Perry High School principal Dan Marburger speaks at the Sunday, May 28, 2023 graduation. Daughter says Perry High School principle distracted shooter, saved lives.
Marburger distracted shooter to let kids escape. Heavily commended was Marburger, 57, for his shooting heroics. He reportedly tried to distract Dylan Butler, 17, the school cafeteria shooter, just before he was shot, giving other pupils time to flee. "Dan courageously put himself in harm’s way to protect his students, and ultimately gave his own life to save them," said Reynolds. We'll never forget his selflessness and bravery. Peace to him.”
A Perry Middle School student, next to the high school, died in the attack. Ahmir Jolliff's funeral happened Friday in Perry. Four pupils and two staff members were injured. Friday saw two students still hospitalized. Police say 17-year-old Iowa school shooting killed 6th grader, injured 5 others.
Never doubted his desire to teach. The Mississippi River village of Sabula, eastern Iowa, was Marburger's hometown. He earned a degree in education from Central College in 1989 after attending Miles' East Central High School. Later, Drake University awarded him an educational administration master's.
He told the Perry Chief in 1995, when he was an assistant principal, that "I always knew I'd be a teacher." He had worked in Perry for nearly 30 years.
Marburger, who taught social studies at East Central Community High School and middle school computer skills for two years, said, “I had great teachers I wanted to be like.