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 25 ^th , 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.

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 25 ^th (Saturday after Thanksgiving) , from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Private interment will take place in Graceland Cemetery.

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