Daniel Robert Teynor, age 68, of Merrill, WI, formerly of Prairie du Chien, WI, passed away Monday, August 21, 2023, surrounded by his family. Dan was born on April 30, 1955, in Prairie du Chien, to the late Clarence A. “Jim” Teynor and Dorothy A. (Evans) Teynor. He was raised on the family farm in Prairie du Chien alongside his seven brothers and sisters and graduated from Prairie du Chien High School.
Dan married Stephanie Zierke of Elmore, MN, on April 5, 1975, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elmore. After her passing in 2000, he met Rosella (Rose) Lutz of Marathon, WI, moved to Merrill, and married her on September 28, 2002, in an intimate ceremony on their family property. Dan had a deep love of animals and all things outdoors, rooted in growing up on the family farm. This days-gone-by lifestyle also bestowed upon him the ability to fix most anything that was put in front of him. He loved working with his hands. Dan was a dependable hard worker. Throughout his life, he spent time working with American Motors Company, Burlington Northern Railroad, Gencor Bituma Corporation, Agriprocessors, and, finally, many years with Linetec until his passing. He was well-known for helping others – from something as small as helping with a flat tire, to being publicly commended for assisting in saving Louie Lessard’s life from a house fire. He was a mentor to many, from work to family. Perhaps more than anyone, he influenced his nephew Eric, with whom his name was mistakenly and lovingly interchangeable to those closest to them both. Dan loved hunting of all things. He had a keen eye for morel mushrooms, ginseng, and deer that no one else could see except for him. His happiest hunting moment was when his grandson, Owen, harvested his first deer last year. His eyes filled with tears of pride telling others what happened. All of these experiences made him one of the best storytellers. His enjoyment of these memories brought out his signature Teynor smile and twinkle in his eyes, passed down from his father before him, which will be missed by all that know and love him.
He is survived by his wife Rose; his children Kevin (Nicole), Kellee (Joshua) Corlett, and Kyle (Brooke); his step-children Michael Lutz and Cora Lutz (Tracey Thoren) and her son Noah Enger; his siblings Bill (Ann) Teynor, Linda (Bob) Vance, and Trudie (Gary) Adams; his grandchildren Blake, Breanna (Francis Eastman), Jack, Novalie, Hailee, Owen, Kynnick, Emma, and Mia; his great-granddaughter Georgia; nieces and nephews too numerous to count; his father-in-law Richard (Arlene) Henke, brothers-in-law Robert Lang, Oscar Dodd, Kevin Dodd, and Cory (Carla) Henke, and sister-in-law Donna Teynor.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Dorothy; wife, Stephanie (Zierke) Teynor and her parents Howard and Mae Jean Zierke; sisters Betty Lang and Jeanne Shinko; brothers Clarence “Jim” Teynor and Jason “Tony” Teynor; and brother-in-law Guy Dodd.
A memorial service will be held in Mosinee, WI on Monday, August 28, 2023, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Beste Funeral Home.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Friday.
A memorial service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, September 1, 2023 at St. Gabriel’s Church of the Holy Family Parish in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin with Msgr. Charles Stoetzel officiating.
A burial will follow at the Calvary Cemetery, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers, please also consider a plant, which will have a longer lasting sentiment.