Service Details
Services celebrating Dan’s life will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023 (Saturday after Thanksgiving) at 12:00 noon in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. A memorial luncheon will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday, November 25th (Saturday after Thanksgiving), from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Private interment will take place in Graceland Cemetery.
Memorial Suggestions
In memory of Dan, memorials to the Pan Yack Park Company/Tree Fund have been suggested.
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Daniel Bruce Amundsen, age 81, passed away peacefully at Ascension All-Saints Hospital in Racine, WI on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Dan was born March 8, 1942 in Racine, WI to Vernon Van and Harriet Josephine (Nee Vance) Amundsen. He attended Fratt Elementary, McKinley Jr. High and graduated from Washington Park High School, Class of 1960. At Park, he was a member of the Varsity Football Team and the Golf Team. Dan continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Racine Campus before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. He graduated there in 1966 with a double major in Physical Education and History.
Dan was united in marriage to Judith Ann Wilda on August 27, 1966 and began his long teaching career with Racine Unified Schools the following week. He taught his first 17 years at Mitchell Jr. High School, teaching physical education and health classes and coaching football, gymnastics and track. In 1983 he transferred to his Alma Mater, Park High School. He taught physical education and health there for another 17 years and coached Freshmen Football and Boys Varsity Golf until his retirement in 2000.
Dan was happiest when he was outdoors coaching, pheasant hunting with his German Shorthaired Pointers, deer hunting with the Wilda relatives, fishing up at Red Gut Bay, Ontario, Canada with the Amundsen relatives and his close friends and, of course, playing golf. The friendships he made throughout his life were precious to him and too numerous to list here. But you know who you are. Dan was also grateful for the privilege of teaching and coaching so many young students during their formative years.
Following retirement, Dan could be seen golfing out at Pan Yack Park, where he and Judy resided permanently since 1996, and also keeping busy hunting and fishing. His life was filled with outdoor activities, family gatherings and getting together with his friends. He truly led a wonderful life.
Dan is survived by his wife, Judy, of 57 years; daughter Jennifer Lynne (Troy) Lucas of Milwaukee and their children Autumn Sage (Milo Miller) Lucas of Layton, Utah and Zoe Jasmine Lucas of Milwaukee; daughter Mary Beth (Scott) Nelson of Racine and her daughter Brittney Lee (Kyle Burman) Murphy of Racine; sister-in-law JoAnne Amundsen of International Falls, MN and her family David Eric (Amy) Amundsen (children Logan and Owen Amundsen) and Jordon Amundsen of Madison, WI; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marilynn (Robert) Johnson of Urbandale, IA and their sons Brad (Heather Jeffords) Johnson (children Alex and Nicole) of Altoona, IA and Ross (Dory) Johnson (children Collin, Emily and Gavin) of Clive, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother David Vance Amundsen and niece Karen Marie Tisland.
Services celebrating Dan’s life will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 12:00 noon in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. A memorial luncheon will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday, November 25th, from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Private interment will take place in Graceland Cemetery. In memory of Dan, memorials to the Pan Yack Park Company/Tree Fund have been suggested.
James Weyrough says
Mary Beth
Your dad was
A awesome teacher
May his soul be for ever
eternal
Dave Younk says
My condolences on the loss of a great husband, father, teacher, coach and friend to so many. Our family, most notably my boys and I will miss him and have great memories of many pheasant hunting trips up to Warrens. I’m guessing he’s already played 18 and either fished or hunted birds up there. Rest in peace Dan.
Tom Casper says
My sincere condolences to the Amundsen family.😢
The world lost a good man and a wonderful soul.💔
Coach Amundsen was my middle school coach and was very influential during my formative years… more than he ever knew.
He was always so even-keeled, patient and understanding. I don’t think I ever heard him raise his voice, yet everyone typically listened to him…which says a lot.
I’ll always remember gymnastic practices when he’’d play the Jackson 5 and/or the Temptations albums over and over.🎶
I’ve have nothing but fond memories and the utmost respect for Coach.
May he rest in eternal peace…he definitely deserves it.
Godspeed…✝️
Jim Kasprovich says
Couch Amundsen was a couch of mine at Mitchell school. He was a really good couch and an even better kind great person.
Jim Kasprovich
Bill and Rosemary Dorece says
Sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. He was one of the good guys. I fondly remember our golf days at both Meadowbrook, as juniors and Pan Yak Park. Dan was a life well spent and his dedication to his profession and influence on his students I am sure will live on. We also are in sympathy with the family , especially Judy, who we also remember fondly.
Jim Zewen says
Hi! Coach A unseen was my Teacher at Mitchell Jr High! He was so nice! He signed my 9th grade yearbook.Ill miss him a lot! Him helping up on the still rings in gymnastics was a memory and quite an adventure for both of us! May god comfort his family during this very difficult time. May coach rest in peace. Love, Jim Zewen
Eugene and Sandra Lepisto says
We need to write a book-56 years of friendship is hard to summarize! Dan has been an exceptional friend, colleague, partner in hunting, fishing, card playing, and supporting the Badgers and Brewers. Many chapters would be needed to be highlight his outstanding characteristics and the many fond memories starting with beginning our careers together with fun and crazy times at Mitchell Junior High. Dan was always generous to our family whether it was golfing (even giving a tour around the course highlighting the history of the park to the non golfer), boating, fishing (big time in Canada or simply helping children catch bluegills off his dock), or anything he could think of. We thank Judy and Dan for the friendship bond that will always be remembered and honored. We had so much in common. He was a valued irreplaceable best friend. To Dan’s beautiful family: Please accept our heartfelt sympathy at this difficult time.
Jim Zewen says
Hi! Coach A unseen was my teacher at Mitchell Jr High School!He was so nice! He signed my 9 th grade yearbook. I will miss him! Him helping me up on the still rings in gymnastics is a memory and quite an adventure for us both! May God comfort you. during this very difficult time. Love, Jim Zewen
Ellen Myers says
I’ll always remember Dan walking with his dogs when I played golf at Pan Yack.
Kay Krause says
Judy, wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Please accept y deepest sympathy for your loss.
Tina Diel says
Sending you my deepest condolences and warm hugs during this heartbreaking time. Dan will always be remembered as an incredible person.
Wendy Miller says
I’ll always remember Dan fondly. We’re doing our Thanksgiving on Saturday, but I’ll see you in the summer. You have my deepest sympathy.