Daniel K. Louis Obituary (1962

Daniel Keith Louis aka "Big D" There is a huge Grateful Dead Music Festival in the sky that is celebrating the arrival of Big D, known by his family as Daniel or Dan, but the majority of the world knows him only as Big D. Big D left this world on Saturday, July 23rd, 2022. He is now at peace after a short but courageous battle with Cancer. He would have turned 60 on August 21st. Big D loved life, his family and friends, his cats, the Grateful Dead, Music Festivals, Jamaica, and camping. He entered the United States Marine Corps after High School. After that he enrolled at UW Stout in Menomonie Wisconsin, where he graduated with a degree in Shop Floor Engineering. While in college he worked as a bartender at the Den. He loved it there so much that he continued to work at the Den his whole life, filling in with other endeavors as he chose. He only stopped working at the Den a few years ago. He also spent every winter in Jamaica, lengthening each yearly stay as his schedule allowed. This past year he was there for 5 months. Big D is well known and quite the legend in Jamaica too, his friends down there were devastated to hear of his passing. Acting as a tour guide, dozens of friends of D’s have also benefitted from his extensive knowledge of the country. He has quite the collection of Jamaican wood carvings, many of which were carved just for him. His wish was that his ashes be scattered in Jamaica on his favorite beach and mountain. Daniel will be greatly missed by his family. He spent many family gatherings with them. He came home even more often after the arrival of his 2 nieces (Libby & Emmy) who have added so much joy to our family. Last fall, the 3 siblings spent a very precious weekend together at a music festival in Door County, a memory they will all cherish. It was to become an annual thing, at D’s request, but unfortunately that cannot be. D had so many friends that we cannot even begin to mention all of them. His inner circle consisted of his 2 closest friends, the 3 Musketeers they call them, Matthew (Burnsy) Burns & Jason Davis. Burnsy and D roomed together for 25 years, they have gone through everything together. They called each other “brothers from another mother”. He will also be greatly missed by his girlfriend of over 20 years, Pam Strassman and her 3 children, Trista (Curtis) Bauer, Billy (Crystal) Buchholtz, and Brittney (Jeremy) Kitchenmaster. They considered D to be the best 2nd father anyone could ever have. D lived his life on his own terms, he was an example to many and he strove to leave behind a legacy of an enjoyment of life to the fullest, even up to the end in Hospice. He spent free time in the summers camping and traveling to music festivals, concentrating on anything Grateful Dead or the String Cheese Incident! He was also known for his tie-dye apparel, he has bags and bags of tie-dye and Jamaican clothing, Pam is hoping to make a quilt out of some of his favorites. D was also famous for his humorous one-line observations and sayings. He is quoted often by his friends, they should write a book about his life! Born in Chicago Illinois, D was also a huge Chicago Bears fan. Many, many, many wagers were won and lost over the Packer / Bear games at the Den. D also loved to golf and was a very competitive pool and darts player. Daniel is survived by his parents, Frank & Loretta Louis of West Bend, brother Michael (Vicki) Louis of Egg Harbor, and his sister Susan Inkmann and her 2 daughters, Libby (Elizabeth) & Emmy (Emily) of Brookfield. He also has extended family in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana & Kentucky. A Celebration of Life for Daniel will be held privately by his family. His friends are planning a tribute party at the Den on Saturday, August 27th from 1-6. Wear your favorite tie dye or Chicago Bears apparel and come celebrate Big D’s life! No Packer gear allowed! Big D’s passing leaves a gaping hole in the world for many people. We thank him for his service to our country. He will never be forgotten. One Love Big D! Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, Wisconsin is serving the family.