Daniel “Dan” “Thumper” Christopher Milnthorpe, age 70, of Black River Falls, Wisconsin,
passed away at his home on Sunday, January 14, 2024. Dan was born on October 6, 1953 to
Edward and Dorothy Milnthorpe in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
He graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1972. After graduation, he went on to work
multiple jobs, including Badger Mining for 10 years before he started at the Jackson
Correctional Institution where he retired in 2020. In 1999 he helped pass a bill that was aimed at
protecting correctional officers in Wisconsin named ‘Bill 110’. On April 20, 1985, he and Diane
Jelinek were united in marriage in Black River Falls, WI. They went on to have three children.
Dan never knew a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He was an avid
Wisconsin sports fan, loved music, philosophy, reading, and writing. While his kids were growing
up, he coached them in multiple sports- basketball, softball, and baseball. In his younger days,
he loved to fish, hunt, and teach his kids how. Dan was witty, always had a joke (probably dirty)
up his sleeve, and was known to be able to impersonate anyone’s voice. In the later years of
Dan’s life, he struggled with alcoholism and participated in the AA program where he became
more spiritual and just wanted to find help for himself and others.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Dorothy Milnthorpe; father-in-law, Otto
Jelinek; sister, Lynda Hampel; and best friend, Frank Perkins.
Dan is survived by his wife, Diane Milnthorpe; children, Caitlin (Fiancé Javier Martinez), Kaleb
Milnthorpe (Ashley Wright), and Gabriel Milnthorpe; granddaughter, Zavya Stein; his entire AA
family; along with numerous other family members and friends.
Funeral services for Dan will take place on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the Torgerson’s
Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Terry Marg will officiate. Friends and family are invited to
visitation from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial at Riverside Cemetery will follow the
service, and a lunch will take place after at American Legion Post #200 in Black River Falls.
The Torgerson’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, 715-284-4321.
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