Daniel Howard McKenna

Thursday, December 25, 2025, another angel earned his wings. Daniel H. McKenna of Rothschild, WI, was a hard-working and outgoing man who was a devoted husband, father, Grandpa Danno, brother, and friend. He was born on February 10, 1934, in Watertown, WI, to Francis Harold and Dorothy M. McKenna (Melius). He was their fourth of seven children. Dan graduated from Mishicot High School on May 29, 1953, and enlisted in the U.S. Army effective January 8, 1954. After his honorable discharge, he then served four years in the Army Reserve.

Daniel married Marlene M. Diederichs on April 21,1956, in a 4:00 p.m. candlelight ceremony at First German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manitowoc, WI. They then honeymooned in Canada and Niagara Falls. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage before her passing on February 1, 2019.

Dan worked as a welder for several years in the Manitowoc and Brillion, WI, areas and later retired from United Parcel Service (UPS) after working there as a salesman for 27 years.

Dan was an outdoor enthusiast, volunteering for many years as a Boy Scout leader, as well as loving to hunt (deer, elk, turkey, and geese), fish, and snowmobile. He even helped to create the Urbanaires Snowmobile Club. Dan was also an avid card player, enjoying cribbage, canasta, poker, bridge, and sheepshead. He also enjoyed bowling and golfing; although, gambling at the casinos or the machines at local eateries was his favorite pastime. In his later years, he also found enjoyment watching the birds and squirrels as they came to feed at his always-full feeders. He was a member of the Elks Club, Moose Lodge, the American Legion, Ducks Unlimited, the National Rifle Association, the National Wildlife Federation, and held a life membership in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF).

Daniel and Marlene often wintered in Florida. They traveled to Hawaii for their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries and enjoyed vacationing in Mexico and Branson, MO. They also completed a driving vacation throughout many northern, western, and southern states in their retirement.

Daniel was best known as Grandpa Danno by his grandchildren and even neighborhood children. Daniel and Marlene had three children together: Kevin of Rothschild, WI; the late Kim (Casey) Jones, née McKenna, of Schofield, WI; and Diane McKenna (formerly Christensen) of Racine, WI. They had eight grandchildren: Kevin II and Travis McKenna; Heather (Stephan) Pfohl, née McKenna; Gwendolyn (Dany) Rizk, née Jones; Owen (Jenna) Jones; Catherine and Ryan Christensen; and Veronica (Landon) Carus, née Christensen. They also had two step- grandchildren: Jennifer (James) McKenna-Sims, née Schmidt, and Lynn (Mike) Coscio, née Schmidt, as well as 14 great-grandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Daniel has two surviving siblings: Robert McKenna of Oshkosh, WI, and Eileen Ozga, née McKenna, of St. Petersburg, FL, a sister-in-law Joan McKenna née Hessel of Scottsdale, AZ, and many nieces and nephews.

Daniel was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene; his daughter, Kim; and his brothers and sisters-in-law: James (Myrtle), Terrence (Guadalupe), Roger (Roberta), and Dale as well as his brother-in-law Allan.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St, Wausau, WI, Pastor Arnold Allison officiating. Friends and family may meet for a time of visitation from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Daniel will be laid to rest next to Marlene at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau on a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans at DAV.org then go to: Ways to Give/Honorary & Memorial gifts, or donations to the Kim Jones House, an orphanage in Tanzania. Checks should be written to "Foundation for Hope in Africa" and specified in the memo section for the Kim Jones House/in memory of Dan McKenna.

Helke Funeral Home and Cremation Service, (715) 842-3993, is honored to care for the McKenna family. For online condolences and more information, please visit www.helke.com.