ARLAN LAVERNE DANIELSON
ARLAN LAVERNE
DANIELSON
Arlan Laverne Danielson, 86, of Black River Falls, WI, passed away after a very long battle with vascular dementia Aug. 22, 2023, at Dove Healthcare in Osseo, WI.
Arlan, (Laverne to friends and family), was born March 19, 1937, in rural Jackson County and spent his schooling years first at the Springfield Country School, then through graduating from Black River Falls Senior High in 1955. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was an airplane mechanic, serving aboard aircraft carriers and was deployed to various locations around the world. He was very proud of his service to the United States and very patriotic.
Upon completion of his service, he returned to Black River Falls and began his long career at Jackson Electric Cooperative, as well as having the good fortune of meeting Karen (Buttke), of Alma Center through mutual friends. They were married at Little Norway Lutheran Church Feb. 25, 1961.
Laverne and Karen settled in Black River and their family grew to include their children, Craig, Lori and Dean. He and Karen enjoyed attending all their kids’ extracurricular events, whether academic, sporting or musical and in later years, that participation to support family carried to include attending as many of the grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities as possible. He firmly believed family comes first.
Laverne was a HUGE fan of sports and of physical activity, golfing, riding his bicycle and cheering on the Packers, Bucks, Badgers and especially the Brewers. His love of baseball parlayed over into his dedicated years of volunteer work in Black River Falls Youth Baseball, coaching many Little League teams, both boys and girls, and he always promoted and encouraged all athletics.
He was a great nature and outdoor enthusiast and hunted, fished spent many weekends with Karen taking out their camper, hopping on their touring motorcycle for rides and he especially enjoyed his long walks, whether in the woods, on the Black River Falls trail or just walking downtown. He was a man of faith and lifelong member of Little Norway Lutheran Church, where he held many leadership positions, was a Sunday school teacher and was always a member of the choir. He absolutely loved all kinds of music and singing. He was very fun-loving, ready to smile, laugh, have a conversation with someone and was kind and always willing to help others.
He will be greatly missed.
Laverne is survived by his wife of 62 years, Karen; his children, Craig (Penny) Danielson, Lori (Greg) Ortgiesen and Dean Danielson; grandchildren Jessica (Jamie), Natasha, Christopher, Victoria (Terry), Alexandria, Elizabeth, Natalie and Andrea (Nick); and great-grandchildren Kaylee, Seirra, Samara, Shaylee, Kaison and Lexie. He is further survived by his siblings, Darlene Hansen, Helmer (Judy) Danielson, Betsy (Leon) Janssen, Sharon Peterson, Ron Danielson and Karl (Betty) Danielson; sister-in-law Jean Buttke; brothers-in-law Clayton (Carol) Buttke and Leonard Olson; as well as many, many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Thea Danielson; an infant older brother; sister Mary McKevitt; brothers-in-law Barry McKevitt, Donald Hansen, Robert Peterson and Roger Buttke; sister-in-law Rita Olson; and nieces LuAnn McKevitt and Sandy Buttke.
Funeral services will be held at Little Norway Lutheran Church, Black River Falls, Saturday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of his life at the Skyline Golf Club from 3-6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Little Norway Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.