Joe Toner

VERONA, Wis. / DENVER, Colo. - Joe Toner grew up a happy, smiling kid in Verona, Wis., playing soccer, baseball, football, skateboarding, riding bikes, and exploring the parks, forests, ponds and corn fields with his friends. In the winter, Joe loved snowboarding, sledding, playing hockey and building snow forts. It wasn't uncommon to find Joe outside on a cold winter day, just lying on top of his snow fort and looking up at the sky, enjoying the feeling of snowflakes touching his face.

Joe had an old soul that was obvious to everyone who met him. He had a quiet presence and a quality that drew people to him. His impact has been felt by so many since the day he was born. He didn’t concern himself with material things and was simply happy playing with his pets and friends. Joe naturally excelled at sports, although he never cared much about winning or losing but rather about having fun with his friends and being part of a team.

Joe earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., where he continued the St. Thomas-Toner legacy started by his dad and aunt, Megan. He enjoyed the full college experience, making life-long friends, traveling abroad and playing for the St. Thomas Rugby Club. The Twin Cities also provided plenty of outdoor fun for Joe. He ran and biked regularly up and down the Mississippi River and found many other hiking trails along the river to explore as well.

Joe’s passion for the outdoors led him to Denver in the summer of 2023. He dove straight into the Colorado lifestyle and had found his place and his community. On any given weekend, he was biking, running a marathon, hiking, climbing, snowboarding, or camping in the majestic Colorado mountains. As he did all his life, Joe made close friends wherever he went. All he needed was to find someone to share this life with. Enter Madison Salam, a smart, beautiful sports nut just like Joe. He was happiest outside and, in the mountains, holding Madison’s hand and hiking with their puppy, Juneau, or just cuddling on the couch together with their cat, Steve Purrier.

When Joe wasn’t summiting a 14,000-foot peak, he was planted at ground level, cheering on his beloved Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers or laughing at endless reruns of Seinfeld. Joe was also the world’s greatest big brother. He was immensely proud of his siblings, Lily and Danny, and loved them so very much. Even from the top of snowy mountains, Joe always checked in with his siblings and parents to see how everyone was doing and to share his amazing adventures. It was his clever way of encouraging us to live our best lives, the way he was living his.

Joe was born with a non-cancerous brain tumor, which was removed at the age of 11. Unfortunately, seizures are a common side effect of brain surgery. Joe never let this slow him down and he dutifully managed them with medication, diet, and exercise. Joe died peacefully on Monday, December 8, 2025, as a result of a seizure. And in true Joe Toner fashion, he gave the gift of life to others through organ donation.

29 years is entirely too young to leave this life and the ones you love. But Joe lived more and smiled more and laughed more and loved more in his short 29 years on this earth than any of us can ever imagine. He truly lived his best life and set an example of goodness and compassion for everyone who knew him. He was a beacon of light and a real-life angel on earth.

Joe is survived by his mother, Christine Drone; father, Patrick (Mary) Toner; siblings, Lily and Danny Toner; true love and girlfriend, Madison Salam; and his many close friends who were like family.

In honor of Joe Toner and his extraordinary life and light, please live your best life the way Joe lived his. Love unconditionally. Laugh out loud. Make close friends. Put your phone down and go outside. Go on a hike. Explore the world. Feel the warm sun. Shiver from the cool wind. Admire every glorious sunset. Roll around in the green grass. Let the snowflakes touch your face. And remember to smile when you look up at the sky, because Joe will always be there, smiling along with you.

Godspeed, sweet Joey. Thank you for 29 perfect years. We love you forever.

Joe’s family will hold funeral services and celebrations of life honoring him in Verona, Wis., and Colorado.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ANDREW CATHOLIC CHURCH, 301 N. Main St., Verona, Wis., at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2025. A visitation will be held at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday. A celebration of life will follow the service at Draft House Bar and Restaurant, 1010 Enterprise Drive, Verona.

A celebration of life in Colorado will take place in the late spring early summer of 2026. Details to follow.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002