Obituary of Daniel J. Loden

Daniel J. Loden, age 70, dedicated father, grandfather, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at his home in Beaver Dam, Wis.

Dan was a Christmas present to his parents, John and Helen (Grgich) Loden, born on December 25, 1951 in Milwaukee, Wis. He graduated from Waukesha Memorial High School in 1970, where he was a star athlete, leading the football team as quarterback. Dan was an excellent softball player and in 1972 he met Connie Coley while playing for a softball team in North Prairie, Wis. They married on February 16, 1974, and shortly thereafter began creating their family, welcoming their daughter, Robyn, followed by their son, Tony, 3 years later.  

In his early years, Dan enjoyed playing softball, cross country skiing, reading, bird hunting and spending time with his family and friends.   Prior to marriage, Dan hung out with a close group of friends, who lived together in a flat in Waukesha, which became known as the Barstow House, where all experienced good times together. The Barstow Gang remained some of his closest friends throughout life.    He was an avid bicyclist and found joy in going for long distance rides on the backroads of Wisconsin. Dan loved watching his children play sports and following their achievements as they became adults. He was very proud of them. He delighted in seeing his granddaughter, Maggie, excel at hockey.

In retirement, one of his passions was delivering meals to seniors for the Watermark Community Center in Beaver Dam, and putting a little joy in their day with a friendly smile and “hello” - following the suggestion of the lyrics of one of his favorite songs, “Hello in There” by John Prine, a favorite musician Dan had the pleasure of seeing perform live many times over the years.

In 1976, the family moved to Upson, Wis. to manage Olympia Sport Village, a cross country ski resort and sport training camp in northern Wisconsin.  As the children were growing and becoming involved in school activities, they made the decision to leave resort life and Dan took a position with Ironwood Plastics in Ironwood, Mich., where he served as both as Quality Control Manager and later as Purchasing Manager, which he related was like “beating people up over the phone.”  After a stint in that position, he decided he would prefer to make coffee “fun” for the people and visitors to Hurley, Wis., and started the Hurley Coffee Company, which he operated from 1997-2003.  In 2003, Dan relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, where, as an Assistant Manager for HMS Host, he continued serving great coffee and food offerings to airport travelers from around the world, including a few celebrities. Continuing to work for HMS Host, he transferred back to Wisconsin in 2015 to work at the Milwaukee Airport until his retirement in 2018.

Dan is survived by his daughter, Robyn Marie Loden of Beaver Dam and son, Anthony Scott Loden (Jennifer Larson) stationed at Luke AFB in Phoenix, who loved him dearly.  He will also be greatly missed by his former wife/lifelong friend, Connie Coley Loden of Two Rivers, Wis.; siblings John Loden (Candy) of Naples Fla., Mary Patz of Mukwonago Wis., Judi Briley of Port Angeles, Wash., David Loden (Kara) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Marcus Loden (Joan) of Madison, Wis.; and grandchildren: Maggie Dogs of Beaver Dam, Wis., and Jillian and Braylan Bednarchik of Kansas City, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Helen Loden; and brother, Thomas Loden. Also, preceding him in death was his beloved dog, Penokee.

He will always be held in the hearts of his many friends and loved ones – remembered as a kind, smart and gentle person who made them laugh and encouraged them to be their best.

In accordance with his wishes and another John Prine favorite lyric, “Oh, please don’t bury me down in the cold, cold ground,” cremation will take place.A Celebration of Life for Dan will take place on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Cesarz, Charapata, Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI.Visitation from 1:30p.m. until the start of the  Memorial Service at 2:00 PM followed by Celebration of Life informal story and memory sharing time. Please send memorials, condolences or share memories of Dan, by sending them to the Dan Loden Family at PO Box 2393, Manitowoc WI 54221.