DANIEL VAN OUDENHOVEN

Daniel (Dan) Van Oudenhoven of Larsen, WI passed away unexpectedly from a motorcycle accident on May 12. He was born in Neenah, WI on June 14, 1954 to Gerald (Jerry) and Delores (Lorie) Van Oudenhoven. 

After graduating Shattuck High School in 1972, Dan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

His love of trucking began with in the Marine Corps motor pool where one of his tasks was delivering fuel to jet planes. In 1976 after four years of service as a Marine, Dan earned his honorable discharge as Sergeant of Motor Transport. He came back home to enroll in Fox Valley Technical College to earn his associate degree in industrial power truck driving.  He spent many years as a long-haul driver for Kimberly Clark Corp., logging over 3 million miles of on-time, accident-free deliveries.  

As an independent owner-operator of Expert Transport Inc., he drove a semi-truck he called the Blue Mule. He enjoyed being able to take his son and daughter along on some trips, spreading his love of the country with them and teaching them about the states even when they were still quite young. Even when not working, there was always a road trip to somewhere because you don't fly when you are a trucker! He was a human atlas and could plot a route to anywhere by visualizing the route. He refused to use Google Maps, instead pulling out an Atlas when alternative routes were needed, proudly making his children learn to use one as well. When Dan was a passenger in your vehicle, the driver could expect him to critique your driving, often designating a grade. If he did not like your driving, you'd hear about it!   

After unsuccessfully trying out retirement, Dan went back to trucking first as a milk truck driver, then doing Amazon deliveries, and finally with Lubenow Trucking, Green Bay, where he was employed until the time of his death. 

In addition to seeing the country, Dan enjoyed anything involving family and friends from shooting pool, snowmobiling, watching Green Bay Packers football games and boating on the Wolf River.  He often said there was no better place on earth than on the water. When boating with family, there was always a designated stop at the sand bar for a swim and a beer.  When not on the water, he was still the life of the party. He loved dancing and showed off his moves anytime the music dictated. There was never any downtime as he was always starting a new project even before his previous one was finished.  And in between he'd be listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan or rewatching western movies.

Dan will be forever missed by his daughter Andrea (Charlie Peetz) and son Jerrod (Molly) Van Oudenhoven as well as his grandchildren Adrian Moon, Brayden Peetz, Elliana Peetz, Willow Young, and Miles and Calvin Van Oudenhoven.  He will be dearly missed by his sister Pamela (Eric Schmand) Elliott, his brother Henry (Sue) Van Oudenhoven, nephew Chase (Vidya) Elliott, nieces Che'lis (Frederick) Cichy, Dana Leicht and Deanna (Ray) Tetzloff as well as the many cousins, aunts and uncles in Wisconsin and across the country.

With his giving spirit and infectious smile that would light up any room, Dan made many friends. 

His passing will be especially felt by his best friend of 65 years, Jack Mischler and his wife Sue.  He will also be missed by special friend Mike Koeune along with many more friends too numerous to name, special neighbors who meant the world to him and work colleagues. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Gerald (Jerry) and Delores (Lorie) Van Oudenhoven, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.   

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Good Samaritans who had a CPR kit in their vehicle and were willing to stop and perform lifesaving measures. Thank you to the EMTs, first responders and Theda Star who tried to keep him here with us.  

A military memorial service will be held at 3 pm Westgor Funeral Home 205 W. Doty Ave., Neenah, WI on Sunday, May 18 with visitation starting at 1PM until the time of service with a military send-off right at Westgor.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date, just as Dan would have wanted.  A proud Marine, Dan continued to be an avid, lifelong supporter of veterans.  In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial money to either the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF.org) or the Disabled American Veterans fund (DAV.org) two organizations important to Dan.