Daniel W. Lien was born on December 4, 1924 in Ossian, Iowa. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1942 and Luther College in 1949. Danny additionally did graduate work at the University of Minnesota.

Lien served in the Army from 1943 through 1946, seeing active combat in the European Theater during World War II. He spent his professional career at Fred Carlson Company in Decorah.

Danny married Sylvia Nerlie in 1954. The couple had one son.

Danny Lien passed away on June 12, 2007.