Daniel Holcomb

On April 16, 2026, the world lost an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Born on May 31, 1954, in Monroe, WI, Daniel Lee Holcomb was the first child of Donald and Sharon (Hintze) Holcomb. During his childhood, Dan spent many years traveling across the country with his parents and younger sister, Shirley, while his father served in the United States Air Force.

By the time Dan started high school, the Holcomb family had found their way back to the state where Dan was born, and in 1972, he graduated from D.C Everest High School in Schofield, WI. After graduation Dan enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1973.

Shortly after, Dan met the love of his life, Debra Farnsworth, and they were married on October 20, 1973, before moving to Marquette, MI, where Dan was stationed at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base.

As Dan and Deb began to look ahead at their future together, it wouldn’t be long before they welcomed their first son, Darell Holcomb, in 1974; shortly followed by their youngest son, Dwayne Holcomb, in 1978.

Over the next 13 years, Dan and his family would remain in Michigan as he continued his service to his country as a part of the F-106 Red Bull Fighter squadron at K.I Sawyer. In 1985, the family was relocated to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX, where they would remain for the next seven years as he continued his work at Dyess with the B-1 Bomber squadron.

In 1993, Dan retired as a Technical Sergeant from the United States Air Force. After this, Dan and Deb made the decision to move back to Wisconsin, making DeForest the place they would spend the rest of their years together.

Despite staying busy with his family during his retirement, Dan found himself too restless to stay retired and decided to make his way back into the workforce again, landing a position with Verizon Customer Care.

In 1995, at 41 years old, Dan earned a new title- grandpa - following the birth of his first grandson, Ryan Holcomb, followed by the birth of his first granddaughter, Taylor Holcomb, in 1997.

In 2013, Dan retired for the second and final time, and with his newfound time, he and Deb decided to explore the world together. From drinking sake in Japan to visiting the original Guinness Brewery in Ireland, there was no adventure too big for Dan and Deb to take on together! Some of their favorite trips together included England, Greece, and the Bahamas, with too many more to list.

While traveling abroad was something Dan loved, there were equally as many destinations within the United States that the couple would explore, with places like Hawaii and Yellowstone National Park among their most unforgettable.

Despite their jetsetting, some of Dan’s happiest memories would always revolve around his time back home in Wisconsin.

As a lifelong Green Bay Packers and diehard Milwaukee Brewers fan, he loved nothing more than to tailgate at games with his family and cheer on his teams! A true Wisconsinite through and through, Dan would rarely miss the opportunity to partake in a Friday Night Fish Fry with Deb, with his go-to order always being fried cod and a Diet Coke.

During their summers, you could expect to find the pair spending time together on their annual trip to Door County, WI, or at Dan’s true home away from home- their family cabin in Necedah, WI. It was at the cabin that Dan could enjoy some of his favorite activities like deer hunting and fishing.

Whether it was taking his annual fishing trip with his son, Darrell, and grandson, Ryan, or simply cracking a joke to make someone smile, Dan remained steadfast in his commitment to live his life to the fullest, despite any curveballs that life might try to throw his way.

In 2019, more good news came Dan’s way with the birth of his great-grandchildren, triplets, Easton, Harper and Ayden Skarda.

Four years later, in 2023, Dan and Deb would celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary on an incredible trip to the Lake of the Ozarks, set up by their sons, Dwayne and Darrell. It was times like these that Dan held closest to his heart.

In the years that followed, Dan would continue his travels with Deb, spend his days doing the things he loved most, and have countless unforgettable days with his family, with some of those coming from their first family trip in early 2026.

While 71 years was not enough time to spend with Dan, his loved ones will cherish every moment and memory that they had with him.

Dan is survived and will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 52 years, Debra; sons, Darrell (Brandi) Holcomb and Dwayne (Heidi) Holcomb; grandsons, Ryan Holcomb, Jerod Krause and Cameron Krause; granddaughters, Taylor Holcomb, Raena McNicol and Hope Skarda; great-grandchildren, Easton, Harper and Ayden Skarda; sisters, Shirley (Curt) Soddy and Julie (Jason) Rupnow; along with many others who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Sharon.

A celebration of life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 3 until 7 p.m. with military honors beginning at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send donations in Dan’s honor to the UW-Health Carbone Cancer Center, whose mission and research remained close to his heart.

Donations to the UW-Health Carbone Cancer Center can be made through the University of Wisconsin Foundation by visiting (https://secure.supportuw.org/give/?custom=med04&group=carbone).  

Additionally, as we reflect on Dan's life and legacy, his family asks that you please share some of your favorite memories with him and any condolences at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420