PORTAGE  --    Daniel D. Paske, 53, of Portage, died peacefully at home in his sleep Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014.

Danno, as he was affectionately called, was the oldest child of Darrell Paske and Joni (Hamele) Paske. Dan was born on Jan. 13, 1961, in Portage, and graduated from Middleton High School in 1979. The Class of ’79 was arguably one of the best classes to ever graduate from Middleton. The class’ crowning achievement was placing a Volkswagen Beetle on the roof of the high school.
Some of Dan’s best memories, and he had many because he didn’t forget anything, were of working at Fred’s Standard gas station on University Avenue while in school. After high school, Dan worked for years at Georgia-Pacific in Madison as a semi-truck driver delivering wood products to retail lumber yards around south central Wisconsin. While at G-P he met and married Teri Hinze. After G-P closed, Dan worked a few different jobs, but his vocations will not be what he’ll be remembered for.

Dan will be remembered for his kind, generous nature, and his love of his close friends, nieces and nephews. Dan was a hoot as an uncle and will be sorely missed by Jacob, Zach, Justin, Liberty, and especially, Madeline. Dan also shared many good years with his best little buddy, his dog, Major.

Dan’s other great passion was fishing. He found tranquility in his love for fishing that made him and many others happy. He was always eager and ready to take someone on the water or ice and teach them how to have fun catching fish. When he couldn’t get out and heard you were going he would wish you “tight lines and wet nets.” If you were young or new to the sport, this is where Dan really shined, ensuring his boat mates caught fish. He would even go so far as to hand you his pole while he fixed the one you fouled up. But, above all, he ensured you had fun and learned. This was Dan at his essence. It wasn’t his successes that he wished for as much as it was others’ successes. Dan loved to read and learn new skills to apply in the woods or on the water.

He was deceptively keen and of quick wit, yet he never quite believed and understood how much he mattered to those who knew and loved him. Perhaps now, with the clarity that comes with the peace only possible in heaven, he can.

Dan was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his brother Steve (Chris) of Baraboo; his sister, Jo Ellen (Jack) of Windsor; and nephews and nieces, Justin, Madeline, Jacob, Zach and Liberty.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home, 430 W. Wisconsin St., Portage. At 6 p.m. the Rev. Blake Overlien will preside over a brief memorial service. Memorial donations may be made to the Columbia County Humane Society, N7768 Industrial Road, Portage, WI 53901.