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Daniel Uelmen

( 1977 - 2026 )

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With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Daniel Uelmen, who entered eternal rest on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the age of 48.

Danny was born on July 1, 1977, to Mark and Judy (Reeves) Uelmen. He graduated from Salem High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with the Class of 1995.

From an early age, Danny embraced life with curiosity, humor, and a spirit of adventure. Family members fondly recall a memorable first-grade escapade when he climbed to the top of the monkey bars and simply refused to come down, laughing all the while until his mother arrived. That free-spirited nature remained with him throughout his life. Danny shared a particularly close and loving bond with his mother, a relationship he cherished deeply.

Growing up in a Navy family, Danny enjoyed several unforgettable “Tiger Cruises” alongside his father and grandfather. He sailed twice aboard the USS Enterprise and twice aboard the USS Inchon, experiences that fueled his sense of adventure and created lasting memories. One voyage even included the rare opportunity to experience the firing of a .50-caliber machine gun while the ship was off-loading ammunition at sea.

Danny’s greatest love was his family. On September 1, 2001, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Beth” Bates, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Their love story included a proposal that perfectly reflected Danny’s sentimental nature. He proposed to Beth while she sat in his grandmother’s chair at her beloved home, a place affectionately known as the “House of Love.” Following a two-year engagement, they began a marriage filled with devotion, laughter, and partnership.

Professionally, Danny dedicated more than two decades of service to the Kenosha Unified School District, where he began working in 2000 and eventually became a Head Custodian of Indian Trail High School and Academy. He took tremendous pride in his work and in knowing every detail of the buildings he cared for. Ever thoughtful and prepared, he maintained what he called his “work Bible,” a detailed guide intended to help those who would one day follow in his footsteps.

Danny was a man of many interests and passions. He loved building intricate LEGO sets, especially favorites such as the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters and the DeLorean from Back to the Future. A devoted movie enthusiast, he could often be found revisiting his favorite films, including Somewhere in Time, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, and Star Wars. His fascination with filmmaking extended beyond the screen, as he enjoyed researching filming locations and virtually exploring them through Google Maps.

Danny loved attending Chicago Cubs games, playing GeoGuesser, building cities in SimCity, and reliving classic Atari adventures. He particularly enjoyed the game Lode Runner and often laughed about the countless summer hours spent playing it in the basement. He also took great pride in his Dodge Dakota and found joy in working around the house, always planning the next project or renovation. One of his favorite accomplishments was transforming and improving the family basement.

Among his most treasured memories were the adventures and everyday moments he shared with his daughters, Samantha and Alex. Whether taking field trips to the zoo, traveling to St. Louis with Samantha, or simply spending time together, Danny cherished every opportunity to create lasting memories with his girls. Alex was affectionately known as the “boy” of the house and was always by her dad’s side helping with heavy lifting, outdoor chores, and home projects. Danny took great pride in teaching her practical skills, including how to make electrical repairs around the house, lessons that reflected his patience and desire to pass along his knowledge. As a student at Indian Trail Academy, Alex was also blessed with the unique opportunity to see her dad every day while he worked for the district, a gift they both treasured. The bond Danny shared with each of his daughters was a source of immense pride and one of the greatest joys of his life.

Family traditions held a special place in Danny’s heart. Every July, he looked forward to sharing a chocolate birthday cake with marshmallow frosting with his Uncle Chuck. With birthdays only days apart, the cake was split in half-one side for Dan and one side for Chuck-a simple tradition that became a cherished symbol of family and togetherness.

Danny will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Elizabeth “Beth” Uelmen; his daughters, Sam and Alex; father, Mark Uelmen; uncles Jerry (Kelly) Reeves and Chuck (Rachel) Sauer; canine sons, Luke and Wrigley; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Judy Uelmen; father-in-law, Joel Bates; grandparents, Chuck and Jean Sauer, and Floyd and Darlene Uelmen; grandfather, Jim Reeves; and uncles, Jimmy Reeves and Dale Uelmen.

Though his time with us was far too short, Danny leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, humor, and kindness. He will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, his unwavering devotion to family, his willingness to help others, and the countless memories he created with those fortunate enough to know him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to the family would be appreciated.

In the true spirit of Danny, the family warmly invites all who attend to dress casually and come as he would have loved to see you. Wear your Cubs gear, your Packers gear, your favorite team’s colors, a splash of blue in his honor, or your Indian Trail High School and Academy pride. Danny never stood much on formality, and there is no better way to celebrate the man he was than to show up exactly as he would have wanted, comfortable, genuine, and ready to remember him with a smile.

As we navigate this difficult time, may we hold close the joy Danny brought into our lives and keep his memory alive in our hearts. He will forever be loved, remembered, and missed.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the physicians and nurses at Froedtert South Pleasant Prairie and Hospice House for the compassionate, kind, and loving care they provided Danny.