Our family and community lost a faithful leader with the passing of Daniel (Dan) L. Osero, age 86, of Tomahawk, on Feb. 19, 2022, at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, Wis., with loved ones by his side. Dan inspired many with his lifelong passion to support our country and local area, and always with good cheer. He leaves a legacy of working hard, caring for others, and loving his family dearly. A life well-lived.
Dan was born on May 12, 1935, in Dubuque, Iowa, to the late Daniel and Edith (Stoneberg) Osero. Dan graduated from Tomahawk High School in 1953. Upon graduation, he helped his father run the family shipping business. In 1961, he enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard, joining his cousins and several friends from Tomahawk representing the American Legion Post #93. The battalion in which their company was a part of was mobilized to Fort Lewis Army base and Yakama Firing Center, both in Washington State. They trained using M-48 tanks. Dan was an Officer and served 20 years in the National Guard. He later was a member of the American Legion Post #93 for 30 years and served as the Commander from 2009-2010, followed by a term as the Wisconsin District Commander for District 11, representing 30 posts, and was an active member of the Tomahawk Funeral Honor Guard.
Dan worked at the Tomahawk Paper Mill, where he was a Millwright for nearly 50 years, while also an entrepreneur having his real estate license, owned and managed several rental properties throughout Tomahawk, including four laundromats in Tomahawk, Crandon, Wausau, and Eagle River. He also owned and managed a shopping center in Wausau, where the former PrangeWay was, now Eastbay.
In the community, Dan was a dedicated volunteer firefighter for the Town of Nokomis for 20 years, where he was instrumental to the advancements of their equipment and to the development of the Tomahawk Fire School that trains firefighters from throughout Wisconsin. He especially enjoyed going to the Tomahawk Elementary School to demonstrate for children, by removing his gear, that a firefighter is someone you know and is safe to run to: your Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, or a neighbor. As an Eagle Scout, he was actively involved in the Tomahawk Boy Scouts, serving as a troop leader supporting his son’s involvement, and in earlier years at Camp Tesomas in Rhinelander, Wis. He also served some time on the Tomahawk City Council, Lake Nokomis Concerned Citizens, was a life-long member of Grace Lutheran Church, and a member of the Newwood Hunting club for 30 years, in which his father was a founding member.
In his personal time, Dan enjoyed time with his family, was an accomplished musician, could play multiple instruments, but his passion was piano, organ, and the accordion. He was an avid reader about World War II. A lifelong aviation enthusiast had his pilot license and loved to fly, later exchanging it for a motorcycle license and rode a Harley.
Dan was a proud husband, father, uncle, and grandfather and instilled in his family patriotism, pride in community, strong work ethic, appreciation for music, entrepreneurial spirit, jokes and stories, to always pay it forward, and love for an old fashioned and pecan pie.
Dan is survived by his wife and “love of his life,” Claudia (Stafford) of 11 years; his five children, Tracy (Mike) Maddaloni, Appleton, Wis., Dan (Lori) Osero, Neenah, Wis., Derek (Rachel) Osero, Scottsdale, Ariz., Justin Osero, Lake Ozark, Mo., Christine (Colin) Osero-Remes, Columbus, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; Claudia’s three children and four grandchildren, whom he very much loved like his own, Katie (Eric) Lint, Chaska, Minn., Todd Schmit, and Scott Schmit (Tabbie Waring), Tomahawk.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dan and Edith (Stoneberg) Osero; his sister Joanne Foster; and brother-in-law, Graham Foster, all of Tomahawk, WI.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Tomahawk. The family will receive friends for visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Additionally, there will be a visitation on Friday, May 13, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Generations Funeral Home in Tomahawk, who is assisting the family. You may view Dan’s obituary and leave online condolences at www.generationsfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, 2675 Hwy. L, Tomahawk, Wis., 54487. Phone: 715-453-5870. Email: [email protected].