Daniel “Dan” Conrad Bruce Rhode, aged 74, died peacefully of natural causes in the early morning of January 16th, 2026. Son of Iva and John Rhode, he was born February 1st, 1951 in Clintonville, WI, as the first Rhode child to be born in a hospital. Dan went on to complete the 9th grade and started working as a welder for Rexnord Conveyor and with Rouse Excavating after that. Dan then began working for construction companies, where he became the foreman of Mathys Construction Company.
As a young man, he married Betty Rhode and had 3 beautiful daughters, Amy, Angie, and Annie, and later divorced. After working in construction, Dan followed in his father’s footsteps and founded his own logging company, DC Rhode Logging. He continued working until a sudden motor vehicle accident, where he suffered a traumatic brain injury on October 31st, 2012. He spent the first few years after his accident living with his daughter Ann under her care and then Dan spent the rest of his days in Brewster Village in Appleton, Wisconsin.Dan will be remembered as a true jack of all trades, a man who seemed able to fix just about anything with his hands. He was kind, generous, and selfless, always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need without hesitation or expectation. Dan found deep joy in travel and the beauty of the natural world, with especially cherished time spent with his girlfriend Konni in Alaska and Arizona. He loved working on cars and was well known among his family for his constant tinkering and problem-solving spirit. He enjoyed listening to music, most notably Bob Seger and Neil Young. Above all else, Dan had a passion for his Harley-Davidson motorcycles, finding freedom and peace as he rode the open roads throughout Wisconsin. His skills, warmth, and love for life will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who knew him.
Dan is survived by his daughters Ann (John) Sonnleitner and Angela (James Wright) Rhode; His sisters Geraldine Kussman and Therese Mauel; Grandchildren Areli Oviedo, Barry Rhode, Levi Rhode, Amber Zarling (Beechy), LaKeisha Rhode, Ariel Oviedo, Brianne Sonnleitner, LaKalie Rhode, Josefina Oviedo, Lanie Sonnleitner, Lily Sonnleitner; Great-grandchildren Jaymin Pendleton, Kingslee Drake, Katalina Oviedo, Henley Beechy, Waylon Beechy, Rosalynn Beechy, Kashmere Love, Amari Burks, Atreus Rhode, Ameila Nendza, and Silas Rhode.
Dan is preceded in death by his daughter Amy Rhode-Oviedo; His mother and father Iva and John Rhode; His siblings Rita Johnson, Lorraine Long, Elaine Smith, Jeanne Downham, Rose Mary Sasse, Helen Fumelle, Jack Rhode, James Rhode, and Thomas Rhode; and his life partner Konni Halford.
Dan’s funeral service will be held Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 11am at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory (SOUTH LOCATION), 299 S. Main Street, Clintonville, WI 54929. Rev. Diana Ziegler will officiate and inurnment will take place at a later date at the Graceland Cemetery in Clintonville. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 9am until the time of service.
A special thanks goes out to the staff at Brewster Village for taking phenomenal care of Dan over the years. A special thanks to RN Megan and CNA Jodi.
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