Racine – Daniel Eugene Vander Leest, age 48, passed away unexpectedly, as the result of a motorcycle accident, on Saturday, September 16, 2023.

Dan was born in Racine on January 27, 1975. He attended Tremper and Horlick High Schools. Dan was an accomplished carpenter by trade, currently working for Koontz Carpentry.

Outside of carpentry, Dan enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson, hunting, darts, horse shoes, lending a helping hand with home improvements to whomever was in need, spending time at the family cottage on Boot Lake in Townsend, WI; and was a dynamic husband, father, grandfather and uncle….who loved spending time with his entire family.

Surviving are his children, Savannah (Hope Fasick) Vander Leest, Mike Aranda, Armando (Cassandra) Aranda, and Justin (Lianna) Aranda; adored niece, Elijah Pisula; grandchildren, Ayden, Julian, Ali, Natalie, Josiah, Ivy, Lily, AJ, Matilda, Max, Leon and Mabel; grandmother, Marilyn Visser; brothers-in-law, George (Jennifer) Pisula, Troy Pisula and Adam (Tara) Pisula; sister-in-law, Amanda (Yazan) Al-Rifai; special cousin, Vicky Glidden; many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.

Daniel was preceded in death by his loving wife, Tania Marie Vander Leest (Pisula), on July 31, 2019; grandson, Nathaniel; grandparents, Louis Visser, Richard & Veronica Vander Leest; and uncle, Steven Visser.

Services celebrating Dan's life will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 3:00 pm. A memorial reception will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from  1:00 – 3:00 pm. In memory of Dan, memorials to his family have been suggested.