Wayne Leroy Danielson
Wayne Leroy Danielson, 95, husband, father, farmer and man of faith, died peacefully in his sleep, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at his home.
Born to William and Mabel Danielson, July 25, 1930, Wayne was the third of eight children.
He graduated from Cadott High School and later, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm Short Course program.
Wayne met Flora Woodruff through 4-H. They had their first date at the Chippewa Fair and were married in 1954. They were blessed with seven children and two Brazilian foreign exchange daughters. In August of this year, they celebrated 71 years, of a wonderful marriage.
The couple bought a farm next to the Danielson home farm. Wayne milked his own herd of registered Holsteins for many years, sharing machinery and field work with his brothers, Harland and Bernard. His sons, Jon, Doug and Les, and grandson, Rick, all followed him into farming.
Wayne was very interested in community service and farm issues. He served on numerous local, state and national ag boards, including the Farmers Union, National Dairy and Beef Boards, and the World Dairy Expo. He served 18 years, on the Wisconsin State Board of Agriculture.
He was on one of the first trade delegations to China, to open up agricultural trading with them. He was a 4-H leader, church council member and Wisconsin Master Farmer.
Wayne’s priorities were faith, family and community service. He was also very fond of lefse, fruit soup, sandbakkels and being 100 percent Norwegian.
He is survived by his wife – Flora; children – Jon (Jane), Deborah Rokenbrodt, Nancy (James Martinell), Doug (Annie), Brenda, Sonja (Greg) Hammond and Leslie (Debora); Brazilian daughter – Monica Vieira; grandchildren – Rick (Beth) and Jason (Loren) Danielson, Shannon Haas, Michael, Daniel, David and Kristen Rokenbrodt, Kathryn (Sam) Grey, Stephani (Brett) Eaton, Paul (Nicole), Nicholas and Joe Martinell, Colette and Tyrel Danielson, Kelsey (Garrett) Linley, Isabelle, Louisa and Jamison Hammond, and Larissa and Henry Danielson; siblings – Muriel Shervey and Mark Danielson; brother-in-law and sisters-inlaw – Don and Clarice, Shirley and Barb Woodruff, Marilyn and Marette Danielson, and Dorothy McLernon; and numerous nieces; nephews and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents – William and Mabel Danielson; sister – Eleanor Sheldahl; brothers – Allen, Harland, Bernard and Clarence Danielson; brothers- in-law – Al Shervey, Marvin Sheldahl, Leonard Peck, Richard McLernon, Dell and Bill Woodruff; sisters-in-law – Deanna and Joyce Danielson, and Jean Peck; son-in-law – the Rev. Gary Rokenbrodt; and Brazilian daughter – Vera Beserra.
Visitation was Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 4-8 p.m., at Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott. Services are Thursday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m., at Big Drywood Lutheran Church in rural Cadott, with Vern Weeks officiating. There will be a one-hour visitation, prior to the service.
Interment will be in the Big Drywood Church Cemetery. Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Cadott, is assisting.
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