Daniel Edward Sonsalla

Daniel “Dan” Edward Sonsalla, almost 69, of Baraboo, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, March 6, 2026, after a long battle with COPD.

Dan, son of Everest and Dorothy (Habermeyer) Sonsalla, was born April 1, 1957, at Fort Rucker Army Hospital in Alabama.
Dan and his parents lived in Enterprise, AL, while Ev served in the Army. They moved to Portage, WI, in 1958, where he attended Portage grade school. From 1962-66 they lived in Baraboo before moving to Wisconsin Dells for a few years, where Dan attended St. Cecelia’s School. The family settled back in West Baraboo in 1969, where Dan attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Baraboo High School, Class of 1975.
Dan had various positions throughout his life such as working at the Shell Station in West Baraboo (where he once chased after somebody that didn’t pay for their gas) and helping in the kitchen at Arnie’s Ritz. Later he worked for Hanger’s Heating, where he learned lifelong skills and made many friendships. He was very proud to have settled on driving semi-trucks and became Owner/Operator of Sonsalla Trucking. Other truckers in the U.S. would know him by his CB handle, “Suicide Jockey.” The many friendships he made throughout his career meant the world to him.

Dan was united in marriage to Cherie Hull and was blessed with a daughter, Stephanie. Later he married Debbie Rowland, and they were blessed with a son, Travis, who they raised along with Debbie’s children Becky and Brian. Dan loved his extended family and spoke of them often.

Dan was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, driving his Corvette and Mustang, and watching Nascar, football and Hallmark movies. After his brother Dean passed, Dan missed the phone calls that he would get from Dean while watching sports. When health challenges made it difficult for Dan to leave his house, he embraced Facebook as his “window to the world,” sending a daily mix of morning blessings and naughty jokes to friends and family. The kind responses he received really brightened his day, and he treasured those friendships.

Dan is survived by his children, Stephanie (Jeff) John and Travis (daughter Fallon) of Baraboo; his siblings, Diane (Will) Foreman of Otsego, Greg (Joy) Sonsalla of Baraboo, Vicki (Dale) Harmon of Mauston, and sister-in-law Heather Sonsalla of Merrillan; the mothers of his children, Cherie and Debbie and her children Becky and Brian; nieces and nephews Sarah (Justin), Amber, Dwight (Crystal), Whitney (Jake), Kyle, Shane (Katy), Dana, Shelly (Diana), Jacob and Jesse (Jess) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is further survived by his in-laws, and his Aunt Bernice Sonsalla of Independence, along with many cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers David M. Sonsalla of Merrillan and Dean J. Sonsalla of Baraboo; in-laws, Shermie and Dolores (Hull) Thompson, Arah and Caroline Leonard, and brother-in-law David Leonard, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held from Noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4th, at Poor Nate’s at S2263 WI-23, Reedsburg.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the COPD Foundation.