Daniel Louis Matthias

Daniel Louis Matthias, 73, died on January 31, 2025 in Whitehall, Wisconsin at Trempealeau County Care Center. 

Daniel was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on June 28,1951 to Arland and Irene (Brunner) Matthias. He attended St. Joseph’s School at Alverno and graduated from Valders High School. 

Throughout his youth Daniel was active in 4-H and in High School the FFA and the National Honor Society. He was also selected as Badger Boy. At the University of Wisconsin-Platteville he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and took his degree in animal science in 1973.

For the next four years Daniel served in Santo Domingo, Ecuador as a Peace Corps volunteer. He became fluent in Spanish and taught animal husbandry to Ecuadorian farmers. When he recounted his years in Ecuador he often said that he loved his time there. He maintained relationships with Peace Corps volunteers until his death. 

When he returned to the United States he continued to work in dairy farming, with his brother, Jon, then branching off to operate his own farm, then working with herds on farms in Arizona and Wisconsin. However, he was challenged with mental illness and spent his last years at Trempealeau Care Center. There daily, he supported outreach missions across the USA whose goals were to provide education, strengthen faith and end poverty. 

Daniel was predeceased by his parents, his sister Eileen Kapust, and his five brothers: James, Dean, Dennis, Jon and Joseph. He is survived by his daughter Dana and his sisters: Annette Andropolis, Marilynne Matthias and Patricia Meier.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Pfeffer Funeral Homes. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery at Alverno. Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Dan may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is planning a private celebration of Daniel’s life. 

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the entire staff at Trempealeau for their loving care and kindness to Daniel and his family.

Donations in Daniel’s name can be made to the Trempealeau County Health Care Center in Whitehall, Wisconsin: W20410 WI-121, Whitehall, WI 54773.

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