Daniel J Eckenrod

Daniel James Eckenrod died at home surrounded by the love of his family, on December 21, 2021 after a long brave fight with cancer. Whether you called him Dan, Dad, Grandpa, Grumpa, Uncle Dan, Uncle-Grandpa, Ecky, Cochise, or something else, you could see the twinkle in his eyes and knew he was one of a kind. Two things most important to him were his family and the truth…and having a good time in life.


Dan owned and operated Eckenrod Tile for more than 30 years, and had many "helpers" during that time, none better than his own daughter, Laura, to whom he proudly taught the trade over 5 years of daily hard work and nightly hashing out of the meaning of life. The trusted bond that developed during those "Happy Tile" years brought deep comfort and a lifetime of countless stories, inside jokes, and shared knowing looks to them both.


Dan's dedication to excellence earned him extremely loyal and grateful customers and he treasured each of the many thank you cards he received over the years.


Dan Dan the Tile Man transformed into Dan Dan the Bagel Man in his later years as he discovered a new enjoyment of baking bread, making sourdough, and cooking Thai food.


Dan had a large presence and a generous heart and was always willing to help others in any way he could. Whether that be on the back of a hay wagon, using his red van to help his kids move, fixing whatever was broken, or inventing something new - he enjoyed it all.


One of his great pleasures in life was taking trips all over the world with his son Peter. His other great pleasure was telling everyone all about it, repeatedly.


When he told his daughter Anne that she "knew everything and was always right" at the age of nine, he gave her the gift to follow her instincts with confidence, and perhaps not surprisingly, she doesn't hesitate much to share this declaration with others.


He cherished his time spent in the UP with family, fishing in the lake and playing cards in the cabin. He enjoyed playing horseshoes and croquet, and loved to win - something he passed down to each of his children. Except Rachel, she took more to heart his teaching of "Neither a Leader nor Follower Be."


Dan grew up in Whitefish Bay, WI with his three siblings. He was proud of his days as a gifted high school wrestler and went on to study electrical engineering at UWM before serving in the Army Reserves during the Vietnam War. He settled in Abrams, WI in 1976 where he learned the art of homesteading thanks to the generous support and contributions of many great friends and neighbors.


Dan was preceded in death by his parents William J and Bernice E (Schlenter) Eckenrod, brother David Eckenrod, and grandson Samuel C Eckenrod, all of whom he loved very dearly. He is survived by his children Laura (Marty), Rachel, Peter (Laziza), and Anne (Dave); his grandson Reese; brother Bill (Mary) and sister Sue (Gerry), and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by many more.


In lieu of flowers, please share a drink with someone you love and hug tightly those closest to you.

A memorial visitation will be held at Newcomer Green Bay Chapel (340 S. Monroe Ave. Green Bay, WI 54301) on Thursday, December 30 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm with a sharing of memories to begin at 6:00 pm.