Danny "Dan" Marg

Danny Marg, 63, of Neillsville, WI, passed away at his home on December 17, 2023, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.  Born in Neillsville on September 16, 1960 to Duane (Jim) and Rhoena Marg, he graduated from Granton High School in 1979.  Not long after graduation, he moved to Casper, Wyoming to find work.  This proved to be a fortuitous move since it led him to meet the love of his life, when he led a Wyoming steel construction crew in building the new Pioneer Seed corn plant in Mt Pleasant, Iowa, where Debra Harris lived.  Deb followed Dan to Minneapolis, and together they came to Wisconsin to help his Dad harvest crops that year.  Since Autumn was conceived during that time, we heard one of his Dad’s famous “Jimisms”…”you know Son, when you plant corn, you usually only plant a seed at a time, not the whole cob.”  He was also heard to say “Son, your ass is grass and that girl is the lawnmower.”  Dan had a similar way with words!

They were married in Granton, Wisconsin on March 16, 1985.  While living in MN, Deb heard Dan say every day after fighting Twin City traffic, “if we lived in Wisconsin” until finally Deb said, “let’s just move to Wisconsin” and they have proudly called the Granton/Neillsville area their home since 1988.  Dan was very proud of the life he and Deb built and the love they shared.  Soulmates, Dan had “sympathy symptoms” when Deb’s pregnancy had her experiencing dizziness and poor Dan was working on rooftops.  Likewise, when Dan had a respiratory crisis, Deb experienced inability to breathe, long enough to wake her up to rescue Dan, but gone as soon as she woke up.  They could finish each other’s sentences and often had same thoughts.

At the heart of Dan’s life were his children, Autumn Marg and Adam (Sarah) Marg, of whom he was a very proud Papa, as well as grandchildren Amanda Wegenke, Kadyn Marg, Cameron Wegenke and Liam Marg, for whom he reveled in their accomplishments.  Several years ago, he was pleased to reconnect with the child he had always considered his daughter, Nadeen Gardner.  His most treasured times were spent in the outdoors, fishing or hunting with his family and passing along wisdom to them at the same time.  Always learning, Dan’s love and knowledge of the outdoors, animals and nature were incredible.

Dan worked at numerous construction jobs, and created self-employed adventures, including Archery Park and ActionTrax ATV & Campground, where he worked hard, long hours to create 31 campsites and an ATV hare scramble track, proud that his Dad helped him every day to complete the project, even while fighting cancer himself.  They grew close during this time. One of Dan’s most successful ventures was as owner/operator of Central State Chimney Specialists, which he built from the ground up, after getting specialized training at Southwestern Technical College in Pipestone, Minnesota.  Some of the finest fireplaces in the area, have his mark of craftsmanship.  He also constructed and created blueprints (in his mind) of two homes for his family.  Whenever he thought of building or remodeling something and explained it to Deb, she would ask him to draw it out so she could understand his vision.

Dan was a born creator, who could see beauty in the most mundane things.  Always seeing ways to improve a process, project or recipe, he would often say that if this or that would be added (or subtracted), it would be better…a trait not appreciated by his wife regarding her cooking.

He created numerous pieces of art, yard creations, furniture, you name it, made from metal, trees and logs, as well as rocks.  Oh did he love rocks!  The home he shared and created for his wife overlooking the creek he grew up playing on, was surrounded with rock beds showcasing all the heart-shaped rocks he found on the property…they are everywhere!  Hunting Geodes on Deb’s grandma’s property in SE Iowa, he once carried a stuffed and terribly heavy backpack full of rocks while also balancing a huge boulder on his head as we hiked back to the car.  The whole family was loaded down with Geodes that day, taking his newly found treasures home.  Signs and reminders of his love are everywhere on the property.

Dan is also survived by his Mother, Rhoena Marg of Granton, WI; Sisters Ruth Marg-Patton; Susan (Colin) Conn, Sherie Marg and Melissa (Bill) Hines and Brother David (Karen) Marg.  Sister-in-law Connie (Craig) Ross, Brothers-in-law Andy (Jacki) Harris and George Harris, and all the nieces/nephews and grands.

Dan is predeceased by his Father, Duane (Jim) Marg; Brother-in-law John Marg-Patton; and inlaws, Lloyd and Oneta Harris.

The family will receive visitors from 9-11 am on Friday, December 22 at the American Legion Post 73, Neillsville, WI.  Services will be held in the same location at 11 am.  Dan’s cousin, Rev. Bob Garbisch will officiate.  The family thanks his respiratory therapists who were godsends to him: Kerri, Nicole and Rachel, as well as nurses Breanna and Lori of St. Croix Hospice for their caring and devotion in making him (and his family) comfortable in his final hours. Also, thanks to Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Society of Wisconsin for their caring support for Dan and family.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Dan’s family with funeral arrangements.