DANIEL “DAN” “THUMPER” CHRISTOPHER MILNTHORPE

DANIEL “DAN” “THUMPER” CHRISTOPHER MILNTHORPE

     Daniel “Dan” “Thumper” Christopher Milnthorpe, 70, of Black River Falls, WI, passed away at his home Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. Dan was born Oct. 6, 1953, to Edward and Dorothy Milnthorpe in Chippewa Falls, WI.

     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 Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at the Torgerson’s Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Reverend Terry Marg will officiate. Friends and family are invited to visitation from 9 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.