On November 8, 2025, Dante Trenton Niehoff went to his heavenly home at the age of 20. Born in Denver, Colorado, Dante lived throughout the Denver area before moving to Haines City, Florida. Everywhere he lived, he brought joy, laughter, and a sense of belonging to the people around him.

Dante lived with a heart that beat louder and brighter than most. He had a personality that was impossible to forget —he was fun, deeply loving, wildly quirky, and effortlessly hilarious. He had a mischievous smirk and a shine in his eye — the unmistakable signal that he had an idea brewing, one that may or may not have followed the rules. He made people feel seen, welcomed, and valued, standing up fiercely for anyone treated unfairly.

He adored his two older siblings and a third who, while not a blood sibling, Dante appointed as his honorary brother. In his heart and sometimes even the real world, he was their protector. To Dante, they weren’t just siblings — they were pillars of his heart, the people he admired most in the world. He loved them with loyalty and pride that ran deep.

Animals gravitated to him, and Dante never hesitated to help or adopt a creature in need — cat, dog, or lizard, he loved them all. This was how he met the current love of his life, his dog, Baby Girl. Dante was also incredibly athletic, enjoying shooting hoops, tossing a football and running plays with Mom, or launching professional length drives with his signature swing, occasionally throwing in a Happy Gilmore swing or two. Sports were more than hobbies; they were part of the joy he carried in his body.

And then there were video games — a world where he shined just as brightly. He easily could have gone competitive. His proudest gaming moment was during a Fortnite competition, where he clapped the famous streamer Ninja, a victory he delighted in and celebrated with pure enjoyment.

He worked with the same big-hearted intensity. Dante always asked for more responsibility, more tasks, more ways to prove himself. Though he left high school during his sophomore year, he later made the choice — on his own — to go back. In just six months, he completed everything he needed and graduated on time. Determination was woven into him. In Florida, he attended Ridge Technical College to study welding, a trade he embraced and quickly excelled in.

Throughout his life, Dante had a rare gift for making strangers feel like friends and friends feel like family. His presence made people feel wanted, included, and truly seen. Dante surrounded himself with friends. These were deep, loyal, brother-level bonds; they became his chosen family, and he was theirs.

Dante will be remembered for his bright spirit, his compassion, his courage, his love, and the way he made the world feel lighter just by being in it. The loss of Dante is immense, soul crushing and world shattering. But the light he brought into this world remains. Dante lives on in those who loved him; we now carry that light forward, keeping his spirit alive.

Dante is preceded in death by his beloved grandfather James “Jim” VanDerWerff. He leaves behind his great-grandmother Norma Brink; grandparents Jim and Patricia “Trish” Niehoff; Anne (Keith) Bailey; his father Eric Niehoff; his mother Kristi Hook (Michael McClellan); siblings Julia (Daniel) Sumerix and Carmin Niehoff; honorary sibling Joey Jessen; uncle Dan (Megan) VanDerWerff and their children Teddy (Theodore), Josephine (Jo-Jo), and Samantha (Sammy); uncle David (Kara-Lynn) Niehoff; aunt Gina (Luke) Patterson and cousin Layla; and many other family members and his chosen family.

Dante's funeral service is at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at 7691 S University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80122 on Sunday, December 7 at 3:30pm. A reception will follow the service at the family home.