Dann graduated from Stratford High School in 1966 as a three-sport athlete in football, wrestling and track. He set the school record of 4:37.1 in the mile, and advanced to the State meet in the mile three different years. He continued his education at UW-Stout, graduating in 1970 but not Dann Kannbefore setting their fieldhouse record in the mile. Dann then served in the U.S. Army with his tour of duty in Germany. In 1973 he became an Auto Body Repair instructor at WITC in Rice Lake. Kann rekindled his athletic career by entering the Superior to Rice Lake 83-mile World Championship Snowshoe Race in 1977. Dann won the race in a record time of 13 hours, 24 minutes, more than 9 hours better than the previous winning time. It was then that Dann became an elite cross country skier. After only one year, Dann placed 23rd at the Birkebeiner and the next year won the Birkebeiner Citizen’s Class as the first American finisher not associated with the U.S. Ski Team. In 13 Birkebeiners, Kann was often the top Wisconsin finisher. Twice he placed 3rd in his age group and 7th overall in 1981. Through the 80’s Dann won 17 ski races throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan and took two gold medals in the 1986 Badger State Games. Internationally, Kann finished as the top North American in both the 30-k and 15-k event, placing 3rd in the world at 30 k and 4th at 15 k. Also at the World Masters Championships, Kann had the fastest North American time on the US 10-k relay team. His 3 North American firsts at the world games earned him the US Ski Assn. Masters Championship crown for 1986. Dann continues to train year around in cross country skiing and bicycling. He is the co-owner of Spectrum Painting and he and his wife, Nancy, reside in Rice Lake.