Daniel F. Koleske passed away on June 11, 2021. He was 84 years old.

He was born in Racine, WI on February 1, 1937, son of the late Frank and Veronica (Feest) Koleske. Dan was the youngest of their 13 children. He and Shirley M. Jensen united in marriage on August 16, 1958 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Racine, WI. 

Dan was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Grade School and St. Catherine’s High School in Racine. He obtained his teaching certificate from the Racine-Kenosha County Teacher’s College and his B.A. from Dominican College. For 33 years, he taught in elementary and middle schools in the Racine County Unified School System, including Caddy Vista, Jones, and Jerstad-Agerholm schools. 

Dan was a member of St. Rita’s Catholic Church and had previously been a member of St. Joseph’s and St. Edwards’ churches. He enjoyed nature and gardening, woodcarving, cooking, dining out, and spending time with family and friends. Dan loved music and sang with the Racine Dairy Statesmen, the Church Singers, and various barbershop quartets and also led singalongs at the Parkview apartments. Dan also enjoyed telling humorous stories about his life growing up with his brothers and sisters on the farm. 

Survivors include his spouse of 63 years, Shirley Koleske, and their sons Matthew (Sharon) Koleske of Eagle, ID, and Tony (Ruth) Koleske of Cheshire, CT; daughter-in-law Julianna of Albuquerque, NM, and seven grandchildren: Claire Koleske (William Zimmerman) of Seattle, WA, Nicholas Koleske of San Diego, CA, Adam Koleske of Albuquerque, NM, Megan Koleske of San Francisco, CA, Milo Koleske of Albuquerque, NM, Benjamin Koleske of Baltimore, MD, and Emily Koleske of Boston, MA; sister-in-law Linda (Steven) Rumachik of Burlington, WI, brother-in-law Roy Jensen of Melrose, FL, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Daniel D. Koleske and his siblings and their spouses: Francis (Laura) Koleske, Paul (Josephine) Koleske, Louis (Rose) Koleske, Mark (Sandy) Koleske, John (Roberta) Koleske, Marie Koleske, Hildegard (Eugene) Walsh, Eleanor (George) Beyer, Rita (Sam) Barranco, Joan (Joe) Adamek, Lawrence (Mary and LaVerne) Koleske, and Elaine (Ray) Jones.

A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church at 11 a.m. The family will receive guests on Thursday, June 17, 2021 from 10 a.m. until the time of mass.

Dan requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org)