Dan Gildner

Dan Gildner

May 26, 1957 - August 26, 2024

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Obituary

EVANSVILLE - Dan Gildner, 67, of Evansville, Wis., left his earthly home to walk with Jesus on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Danley Charles Gildner was born on May 26, 1957, to Frank H. Gildner Jr. and Mae Vivian Gildner at Mennonite Hospital in Bloomington, Ill.


Dan, along with his parents and only sibling, Stan, moved to Evansville, Wis., in 1961. There his parents purchased the city newspaper that they kept in the family for over 62 years. For all those years, Dan also made his home in Evansville and later in Union Township.


A graduate of Evansville High School in 1975, he enrolled in the fall and graduated from UW- Madison in 1980, with a B.S. in Agriculture and Mechanization Management. While in college, he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Throughout the immediate years following college, Dan held jobs in the Agricultural Chemical Field, at both large and small companies.


In 1982, after nearly seven years of dating, Dan married his sweetheart, Kelly. They raised three children together on the family farm, Justine, Benjamin and Hannah. Together with their family, Dan and Kelly also created, owned and operated their Municipal/Commercial Street Sweeping and Multi-Level Pressure Washing Company, Kleen Pavement. Dan’s children have all “grown-up” in the sweepers!


His most treasured life accomplishment has been finding his faith in Christ. This came before he grew his family, and stayed with him throughout all his life. He shared his faith with anyone who would listen - even some he knew would not. Dan's love of anything and everything fast and loud was shared with his son, Benjamin. This love of racing was, at times, his daily fuel. Just ask Ben! Dan was always working on projects for the company, or for the family. He left us with instructions (for those few not yet finished), but we will finish them for him.


Dan is survived by his wife and his “Lola,” Kelly; his children, Justine (Adam) Tucker, Benjamin (Tammy) Gildner and Hannah (Tye) Sturgeon; step-grandchildren, Scott Hauri (Brittany), Shawn Hauri and Fae Egli; brother, Stan Gildner; nephews, Steven Gildner and Andrew Gildner; and niece, Emily Gildner. Special mention of his dog, Nala, who knows Daddy is no longer here, and will forever miss him throwing her ball. Dan was preceded in death by his parents; and beloved aunts, Kathy Gildner and Lillian Eklund.


Services for Dan will be taking place at the family farm located at 8409 N. US Highway 14, Evansville, on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. A private family pre-service will take place from 9 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. An open public visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The memorial service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow the service at English Settlement Cemetery, Albany, Wis., (located on English Settlement Road). Anyone wishing to go to the cemetery can follow others, those wishing to stay at the farm are welcome to do so. Light eats and refreshments will be served.


In lieu of flowers any monetary donations will be given in Dan’s name to “Ropin’ Dreams,” a children’s foundation that is dedicated to bringing “smiles” to children with cancer. Childhood cancer was something Dan was very saddened by.    


It is “well with your soul” and mine, Daddy.


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


Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515



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AE
Ann Eager
Other •
He is greatly missed and forever in Rick's and my heart. May God bless him and may he rest in peace.
SB
Simeon Blakely
Other •
I once recommended a book to Dan thinking he’d be impressed. I did not expect him to be so excited about my recommendation - the next thing I knew I was scrambling to answer all sorts of questions about the book. “What was it about?”, “What was your favorite part?”, ”Why’d you decide to read it?,” etc, etc… Of course I’d never actually read the book. And of course Dan knew that all along. As soon as we both knew I was cornered he smiled his big smile, eyes sparkling (they really did), laughed and said “Why on earth would you recommend a book you’ve never read?!” I’ve never forgotten that encounter because all throughout I was respected and appreciated, yet knew I was learning a hard and important lesson. And Dan knew he was teaching it. I wish the world had more Dan’s. To me Dan demonstrated that rare combination of being a happy, optimistic realist (happy is an understatement - Dan knew true joy; as well as a zeal for life that few will ever comprehend), who chose to life this life to the fullest extent possible. In that way he transcended life, and blessed others in how he lived his life - Alive. He was a larger than life kind of guy. Two final thoughts. First - Dan knew why he’d transcended this life and was able to live as freely and joyously as he did: Jesus changed his life. He wanted the world to know it too. Second - G.K. Chesterton writes a thrilling short story about Innocent Smith; a man few understood, most judged wrongly, but who himself was so abnormal because he’s figured out how to live life. Dan Gildner was Innocent Smith; that book is Manalive. And yes I’ve read it. Dan is in Heaven, far more joyous than he ever was here, as too we will be if we believe. But the degree of difference in felt joy? I suspect his was much smaller than how the rest of us will feel. See you in Heaven, Dan.

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