Daniel J. Maffet

MIDDLETON - Daniel Joseph Maffet, age 79, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024. He was the oldest child of David J. and Elizabeth M. Maffet, born on December 30, 1944. Daniel was diagnosed with polio at age 2 and had several surgeries that enabled him to walk which was unheard of at the time. He was a poster child for the March of Dimes and was given the honor of a ride around the Capital square in a bathtub, that was broadcast on a local radio station, where the public was encouraged to come and donate their dimes or dollars to pay for those surgeries. Polio never slowed Dan down.

Daniel attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and Edgewood High school of the Sacred Heart, class of 1963. It was there he met his "high school sweetheart," Carol Treinen. He and Carol married the following year on June 27, 1964, and this past June celebrated 60 years of marriage. That marriage resulted in the birth of their son, David R. (Michelle) Maffet and their daughter, Kristina M. (Bruce) Gorman, all of Verona. The couple had four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Trooper, his children, Hannah and Marshall Maffet and their mother, Lisa Maffet; Michael Gorman, Matthew (Danielle) Maffet and their two daughters, Nahaila Wiley-Baker and Saige Maffet; and the couple's only granddaughter, Sara (Gabriei) San Pedro and their two daughters, Madisyn and Maria San Pedro.

Dan was all about family and was affectionately known as "Papa Dan." Nothing else came close to his heart. The most important thing to him was helping family members make their dreams come true and he always put his own needs second. He also had a gift of being able to fix just about anything and many family members benefited from that gift. He would say, “If it's broke, fix it and if you don't know how, learn." Papa Dan will be missed by so many of his family and friends.

Dan especially enjoyed having friends and family over for backyard pool parties. Several of those parties over the years were crowds of 70 plus people because of Carol's extended family. Watching everyone enjoying themselves always brought a smile to his face.

Dan is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol; his children, Dave and Kris; his four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; his sisters, Susan (Thomas) Peterson and Janet (Cory) Wiegel; and his only brother, Raymond (Kathleen) Maffet. He is further survived by his in-laws, Jerry Treinen, Jim (Anita) Treinen, John (Carol) Treinen and Berdi (Walt) Kaegi.

He was prededed in death by his parents, David and Elizabeth Maffet; three sisters, Margaret, Ann and Sister Jeanne Maffet (Order of St. Clare Monastery); in-laws, Eugene and Lydia Treinen; and sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Betty) Treinen.

As per Dan's wishes, there will be no funeral. A celebration of life will be held at LAKEVIEW PARK, 6300 Mendota Ave., Middleton, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Sage Meadow Assisted Living, Memory Care of Middleton for their kind and respectful care of Dan during his stay. We would also like to thank the staff of Brighton Hospice, which cared for Dan during his final days.

Donations may be made, in Dan's name to the Alzheimer's Association or to Brighton Hospice of Middleton, Wis. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com

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Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761