Daniel N. Reich

Daniel N. Reich, 76, of Palmyra, WI passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Lake Mills Health Services in Lake Mills, WI. 

Dan was born on December 2, 1947 in Elkhorn, the son of Allen and Ruby (Traxler) Reich. He grew up in Palmyra, graduated from Palmyra High School, and went on to earn a bachelors degree at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. He married Sally Tutton on March 29, 1969 at the Palmyra Methodist Church.  They had two daughters, Darcy and Jaime.

Dan worked hard so he could play hard and always took pride in his work. First, he managed the Palmyra agency of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and was in charge of local distribution while completing his schooling. He then taught physics, trigonometry, and calculus for 5 years at Edgerton High School before joining his brother Willard in the electrical business. He took great pride in Reich Electric, working with many local contractors wiring residential homes and small industries.  Dan loved being in the outdoors, whether boating, flying his airplane, horseback riding, cutting trees, or just spending time with friends and family. He was a patient teacher, uniquely able to ask a question or offer an insightful suggestion that would unlock a problem faced. He loved to spend time around the kitchen table going over plans, projects, and even homework with his kids. His favorite getaway was “Rocky Top”,  their cabin on Norris Lake in Tennessee, where he spent as many days as he could vacationing with family and friends, cruising the river, and playing in the sun and water.

He will be greatly missed but forever remembered by those he leaves behind. 

He is survived by: his loving wife of 55 years, Sally Reich of Palmyra; his daughter, Jaime (Vera) Reich of Middleton, his grandchildren, Zoe, Dima, and Sophia; and his siblings, JoAnn (the late James) Jensen of Palmyra, Ronald (Nancy) Reich of Puyallup, WA, Willard (Louise) Reich of Palmyra, and Nancy (Richard) Christiansen of Kenosha. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by: his parents, his dear daughter Darcy Reich, his brother Allen (the late Wilma) Reich of Dover, OH, and his brother-in-law James Jensen. 

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Besch and Dan’s care team at Lake Mills Health Services and Rainbow Hospice for their skilled care and bringing many smiles to Dan’s face. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Daniel’s honor may be made to the Dr. Darcy Reich Graduate Scholarship Fund of the Texas Tech University Foundation (PO Box 41034, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409). 

Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 followed by a Memorial Service to honor Dan’s life at 6:00PM on Saturday, April 20, 2024, with a meal to follow, at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Eagle, WI (499 Elkhorn Road, Eagle, WI 53119). The Rev. Duane Goetsch will officiate the service.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence, please visit gibsonfuneral.com 

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