Daniel J. Van Abel

Potter-Daniel J. Van Abel slipped peacefully from this world on August 31, 2025. He was born September 26, 1944 to the late Jerry and Julie (Karls) Van Abel. He grew up in Hollandtown surrounded by cousins, aunts & uncles, grandparents, and playmates from the village. His dad wanted him to become a doctor like his four great uncles. But, Dan's passion was engineering. And, he also wanted to play football. Those two passions came together when he enrolled at Michigan Tech University in Houghton, MI. While earning his B.S. degree in engineering he also played football, becoming their lead receiver in his sophomore, junior, and senior years, and serving as co-captain his junior and senior years. His athletic talent was rewarded in 1991 when he was inducted into the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame.

Upon graduating from college, Dan landed his first job in Evansville, IN. It was there that he took flight instructions and soloed in a Cessna 172. His flight lessons were interrupted when Uncle Sam came a-calling. After his stint in the military he returned to engineering..bidding highway/road construction projects and supervising their construction. And then he decided it was time to return to Tech and earn his Master of Science in Business Administration.

On March 26, 1983 he married Carmen Winkler. For the next 42 years, they chased their dreams together, and found them in each other... whether it was fishing for walleye, hunting waterfowl, golfing, traveling, or just enjoying a quiet night reading.

He is survived by his wife; 2 brothers: Dave (Donna Morgan) Van Abel, Manitowoc; and Bill (Lynn) Van Abel, Lino Lakes, MN; a sister-in-law, Marlene (Tom) Richart, Grafton; 2 brothers-in-law: Gary (Joan) Winkler, New Holstein; and Dick Barcelou, Asheville, NC. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. And, he is survived by a step-brother, Gary (Kathy) Hooyman. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Don Van Abel; his in-laws, Leonard and Verena Winkler, 2 sisters-in-law: Carol Winkler, and Rosemary Barcelou; a niece, Kathy Winkler; and his step-father, Marv Hooyman.

A Funeral Mass for Dan will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Church-Hollandtown, 433 County Rd. CE, Kaukauna, WI 54130. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:30 a.m. and will continue until the time of the Mass. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the:
Michigan Tech Fund
1400 Townsend Dr.
Attn: Michigan Tech Fund
Houghton, MI 49931
Please indicate "In Memory of Dan Van Abel"