“Tuna” Daniel Lee Frisch

“Tuna” Daniel Lee Frisch

“Tuna” Daniel Lee Frisch

“Tuna” Daniel Lee Frisch, age 59, of Baraboo, WI, died Thursday, April 30, 2020 at St. Clare Hospital following a very brave, although brief battle with cancer.

“On 01/01/61 a bundle of joy was brought into this world” born to Henry F. and Mary V. (Bennett) Frisch. Tuna grew up in Mauston and attended Mauston schools.

Tuna met his “Cupcakes” Sherry Stieve in 1983 and was married on the Colorado River in Laughlin, Nevada.

Tuna owned and operated Heinie’s Tavern in Mauston which was a family business since 1953. Tuna enjoyed his work as he was loved people. Tuna’s main goal in life was to put a smile on everyone’s face and brighten their day. He had a repertoire of jokes and he wanted to get to know everyone in the room.

Tuna was very active in the Tavern League of Wisconsin since age 18 (40+ years) active on the State Board of Directors much of the time; also serving Juneau County Tavern League locally as president and various positions. Tuna was a true worker/supporter for the TLW. His vacations were Tavern League events and Conventions. He loved golfing and supporting fundraisers. Tuna also enjoyed the high school wrestling program which he still shares stories about to this day.

Tuna was preceded in death by his Father/Henry Frisch, Mother/Mary Frisch, Brother/Billy Frisch, Father-in-law/Bud Stieve, and Mother-in-law/Bonnie Stieve.

Survivors include loving wife, Sherry Frisch. Brother – James Frisch of Mauston; Sisters – Mary Anne (Jerry) Smart of Rockford; Susan (Wayne) Sullivan of Mauston; Emmy (Tom) Burns of Mauston; half-sister, Jackie Frisch of Madison. Many loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, family, friends (and Toby/his cat).

Thank you to Tuna’s medical caregivers and friends – Dr. Randy Krszjzaniek, Dr. Borys Kusyk, Dr. Gloria Song and Dr. James Huen

No services will be held. Inurnment at Walnut Hill Cemetery.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.

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Condolences

  1. Denise Fish Yontz says:

    My sympathy. Tuna was always the life of the party. I know he will be missed. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers😢

  2. Shirley Theisen says:

    Sincere sympathy to Sherry and family on your loss of
    Tuna. He will always be fondly remembered!

  3. Mary Welch says:

    I’m so sorry to hear of Tuna’s passing. My heart and thoughts are with you Cupcakes.
    I know he is telling jokes and entertaining Bob and Marty up in heaven.
    Cheers to our good friend ! RIP

  4. Allen and Mary Rohde says:

    Our condolences to Sherry and the Frisch family. We first met Tuna when we moved to Mauston in 1977. He always had a smile and a joke to go with it. So sorry for your loss.

  5. Jake Jacobs says:

    Just found out the sad sad news. Dan was a friend that you couldn’t help but love. I had the honor and priviledge to be with him when he mud wrestled in a tux. He is in heaven with his family and with the “Skunkman” Johnny Randall. I have not had the priviledge of meeting you Sherry (Cupcake) but whenever I was at Heine’s or the Uptown with him he always spoke about you and his love for you. My deepest sympathy and prayers RIP Big Guy. Luv ya “Tuna” Jake “The Snake”

  6. jeffrey rhinehart says:

    so sorry for the loss of “tuna” thinking of you “cupcakes” Prayers to you and the family I”ll truly miss seeing him your friends jeff&penny my god bless all of you

  7. Loopy Kleich says:

    So very sorry to hear of Tuna’s passing. It is a great loss for our Tavern League family and anyone who knew him. I will never forget the many great times and laughs over the years. Thanks for the great memories my friend.
    My heart hurts for you you Cupcake. Many hugs.
    Loopy

  8. Laura Moffit says:

    I’m so sorry to hear if your loss, Sherry. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Laura Moffit

  9. GayleHorn says:

    So sorry Cupcakes Tuna was one of a kind very good with everyone going to miss him

  10. Gary and Peggy Van Pee says:

    Tuna was one of kind. Our deepest sympathy Sherry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. It was truly a privilege to know Tuna thru the years. He will be sorely missed. RIP

  11. James Premo says:

    Thinking of you Cupcake and missing Tuna!

    Diamonds

  12. Dennis Fuller says:

    Condolences to a great person and great friend!

  13. Steve and Bonnie Kramer says:

    Sherry and Frisch family: Steve and I were so sad to hear this. Tuna was such a joy to know.
    When you pulled into Heines and saw I BE TUNA plate, you knew it was not going to be just 1 beer!! His jokes, singing, and conversations made for some fun times.
    He would stop by the house on his way home at times for a quick hello
    Im sure Mary was waiting for her baby boy with open arms.
    We will never forget him, and will smile when we think of him
    Many prayers to all of you

  14. Ron, Rick and Brianna Carlson says:

    So sorry Cupcakes and family. Truly one of a kind. Trying to come up with a funny or interesting story, just to many to pick one. God speed TUNA!

  15. James says:

    R.I.P. TUNA
    You shall be missed

  16. Randy Reinfeldt says:

    Never a dull moment with Tuna in the house. So many fond memories. We lost another good man long before his time. Sending my condolences to Cupcakes and Family and so many friends.

  17. Bill Helfter "Captain Bill" says:

    Sorry to hear this. Tuna will be missed.

  18. Joey says:

    Tuna was one of those People that you just couldnt help just smile whenever you saw him. Take care Cupcake.

  19. Lee Gosda says:

    My deepest condolences to your entire family!
    There will never be another TUNA! I spent many nights at your bar.
    Rode a snowmobile to your back door on a bet on the FOURTH OF JULY. Won case of beer.
    Bill Robinson and myself got kicked out of a Wrestling match with the Dells for going after the referee for NOT ALLOWING you to wrestle because you didn’t have a Singlet big enough to fit you (you had gym shorts & T
    Shirt ) LEE GOSDA

  20. Lavonne Kamnetz says:

    So sorry for your loss sherrie. Tuna will be missed by all. Had a lot of good times with you two, years ago. Take care and god bless. Love 💕 Ya.

  21. Ginny Puhl says:

    My deepest sympathies to family and close friends. I remember him as the heartbeat of a room. Great memories of him 40 years ago at Uptown and the gang. You say “tuna” and everyone around or from Mauston knew to this day who you were talking about.

  22. Lois fryndej says:

    So sorry to hear about Tuna. May he be at peace. He always brightened the day when i would see him and sherrie at the casino. Prayers to the family.

  23. SCHMITTY says:

    A true legend, no such thing as a bad time with Tuna and Cupcakes, RIP

  24. Flo Gonzagowski says:

    RIP Daniel. Sympathies being sent to Sherry and Family! 😥

  25. Jo Deen Lowe says:

    I grieve this loss with you. Tunes was a wonderful person from a great family. Like so many, I have fond memories of good times, his sense of humor and the love he found with Cupcakes. He had a big personality that served him well as he worked his magic on us all. He will be missed. Rest in Peace Tuna.

  26. Tim and Diane Groth says:

    A sad time for all of us when someone passes that always entertained us all…all the time. Hopefully God can put up with all of his corny jokes. Ha. Maybe he needed him there to lighten things up during this strange time. Prayers your way Cupcake. Tuna will be missed. All our love💝

  27. steve capener says:

    4-30-20 was a very sad day, we lost a good friend. always made me laugh. with deepest sympathy & prayers to cupcakes & family.

  28. Rob & Amy Swearingen says:

    RIP Tuna! Hugs and Prayers to you, Sherry and the rest of your families. Rob & I will both miss Tuna very much – he was always so good to us!

  29. Diane Krueger says:

    We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Tuna will be missed by so many. Matt and Diane Krueger

  30. Jacqueline Ann Carroll says:

    So sorry for your loss. Tuna was truly a joy to be around and we will miss him greatly.

  31. Dennis Zais says:

    Deb and I send our sincere condolences. He will be missed.

  32. Mary Kirkeng says:

    RIP Tuna.. You will be missed by so many. I will always cherish the memmories, you telling jokes putting a smile on my face, you playing the harmonica, or just having a beer together..Cupcakes so sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers tobyouvand the rest of the family❤❤

  33. Charles L De Monte says:

    Sorry for you loss. I will miss Tuna very much. He was a good friend and i really liked talking to him.

  34. Gladys Radcliff says:

    To the family our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Rick has been friends with the family for years and when I first met Tuna I learned he mud wrestled in a tux, how unreal , he will be sitting on the front porch in the spring, just a swingin. Love Rick and Gladys 💖

  35. Deborrah Venske says:

    I am sorry for your loss. And you have my prayers. Tuna was a remarkable person. Always bringing smiles. He will be missed.

  36. Sandi Bender says:

    Sorry for your loss. Tuna always put a smile on my face. Hugs to all.

  37. Brook Klitzke says:

    Sorry to hear. Our family thought the world of Tuna and Cupcake. I will miss his style, car/license plate, that look in his eyes, Swingin’ and more. We would run into each other every few years and Tuna always remembered me and shared his time. If I ever need a reminder of the way I should treat my wife or daughter, I think of him or my Dad. I can only imagine the good times they had. Love.

  38. Kory says:

    I truly enjoy Tuna’s huge presence. I am going to miss seeing him. God bless Tuna and Cupcake and family with love peace and comfort.

  39. David Horner says:

    So sorry for your loss. Tuna will be missed by me and many of my co workers at Ho Chunk Casino. We enjoyed talking to Tuna and enjoyed a lot of his jokes. RIP my friend.

  40. Leslie Pogreba says:

    Sherry, sorry for your loss!

  41. Judy & Steve Scott says:

    So very sorry for your loss. Tuna was a Great guy, and always had a welcoming smile when he met you. RIP Tuna, and our deepest sympathy to all the family.

  42. Jim Betthauser says:

    Sherry, Mary Ann, Jimmy & Emmy, I won’t put a lot of words here because you all know how I feel about my buddy. Our friendship began about 1969 or so when he had a CB base and we talked often. Then came Heinie’s, and you know the REST of the story. I feel like I lost a member of my own family. And as I said, knowing that the ‘Tunes’ is waiting, aging and facing the hereafter just became somewhat easier. Will NEVER forget and will certainly the surprise night time calls from Wisconsin ‘just to chat’

  43. Lonnie Holze says:

    RIP Tuna, always looked forward to stopping in when back in Mauston and catching up. Proud to call you my friend.

  44. Steven Hepp says:

    I met Tuna close to 30 years ago as a tavern league brother! There are hundreds of stories to reminisce about and never a bad one! He will be missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace
    ” My Friend “

  45. Craig Meyer says:

    Great friend! So sorry for your loss.

  46. Debra Sachinski says:

    Our Deepest Sympathies to Sherry and Tuna’s family!
    Mike & Debbie Sachinski

  47. Deedee Brenneck Heath says:

    Very sorry for your loss Sherry. Prayers for comfort and peace during this difficult time.

  48. Terry Westegard says:

    I remember Dan riding his bicycle. Down to the Sunoco gas station. He would hang out with Terry Hawkins and my dad. We would ride our bikes around the station. Till my dad would yell at us. Good times! On Wisconsin 🍻

  49. Gail Jantz Barnes says:

    Sherry,
    My heartfelt sympathy for you. Praying for peace that passes all understanding. So very sorry.

  50. Katie Roellig Bast says:

    Tuna was one of a kind guy, Many will miss him.

  51. Ron & Lori DeMars says:

    Cupcake you have our deepest sympathies on your loss of Tuna. Every time I bumped into him or had a beer with him it was always a better day just to spend time with Tuna. I can’t imagine how much you’re going to miss him because hearing this news I already miss him greatly. R I P Tuna my friend.

  52. Pam May says:

    So sorry for your loss. Tuna was a good friend of my brother, Terry Hawkins

  53. Bill and Joyce Roeker says:

    Sherry,
    Tuna was one of the sweetest, fun and honest people I know so sorry for your loss. He was one in a million.
    Bill and Joyce Roeker

  54. MIKE TAVENNER says:

    Sherry sorry for your loss. Tuna was a good friend and a person to party and talk with in high school. Another great classmate of 79 gone. R. I. P. TUNA.

  55. Mark Horenberger says:

    Tuna was a legend in his own way.he truely was,a friend. He could make you laugh.he could sell you raffle tickets that you did not know you brought them. He is a asset to tavern leagues true friend when i was in the hospital he called me to see how i was. Cupcake my prayers go out to you.god bless tuna he will be remembered. God bless you and your family. MARK Horenberger

  56. Moo says:

    An absolute legend. Growing up in Mauston and hearing the legend of TUNA, couldn’t wait to meet and have cocktails with him. When I got that chance, found Dan to be a gentle giant with a big heart and superior persona. Will miss you my friend. Now you can re live riding your motorcycle up the stairs to have a drink with Terry Connors at Nig’s! Prost my friend.

  57. Emma Holig Robinson says:

    Dan, was a close and great friend of my brother Bob. They had a lot of good times in school. I can picture them together now still telling jokes and grinning. RIP Tuna.

  58. Roger Filter says:

    Sue and Family
    My Deepest condolences to you and your family.
    Tuna was a great guy and I have a lot of great memories of shooting pool for him back before I went into the military.
    You and Tuna were always so nice to my parents when they stopped in. They always had to make a stop at Heinie’s to see your mom and dad and you guys when they went to our place in Necedah.
    RIP my friend.

  59. Tierra Jackson says:

    Our whole Randall family grew up with Tuna and he was always full of joy, laughter and smiles. So thankful we got to catch up with him recently and share laughter once again. Our hearts are with you and we pray to see his smile again in Heaven one day. Hoping he is reunited with my Grandpa Art and uncle John now. God bless your family.

  60. Shawn Bauer says:

    The world has lost a lion. Anyone who ever met Tuna never forgot him, that was a lot of people. Miss you Tuna. My prayers to you, Cupcake.

  61. Brenda says:

    PS remember all those stuffed animals Tuna used to buy you 😂💙 great guy, could always pit a smile on one’s face 💛🙏

  62. Randy Reynolds says:

    I grew up by tuna , and was in school with him , went to Heine’s many times , so sorry for your loss ! RIP my friend

  63. Brenda Reichhoff says:

    Sorry to here about Tuna prayers sent

  64. Pam Andersen says:

    So very sorry for your loss Sherry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  65. Brenda Emery says:

    So sorry to hear of the passing of Tuna 😪 Wish I could be there to give you a hug. We go back a long time girlfriend & I know how happy Tuna made you. He’ll always ne there for you. Will miss his smile, funny jokes & happy disposition. Love you 💙 RIP Tuna 💛🙏💙

  66. Pam Drohomyreky says:

    So sorry for your loss! Tuna was bigger than life always kind and oh so funny! He will be missed. Prayers for his family!

  67. Janet Carlin-Edgren says:

    So very sorry for your loss. Tuna was one-of-a-kind and we all loved him.

  68. Robyn Stieve says:

    I will always remember Tuna being the life of the party! He was so witty and also one of the kindest, most generous people I ever met. Sherry, My heart breaks for you at this difficult time. I know you will cherish the wonderful memories you had with Him Rest easy now Tuna…..I am envisioning much laughter in heaven now…..sending much love to you Sherry. Robyn.

  69. Robyn Stieve says:

    I will always remember Tuna being the life of the party! He was so witty and also one of the kindest, most generous people I ever met. Sherry, My heart breaks for you at this difficult time. I know you will cherish the wonderful memories you had with Him Rest easy now Tuna…..I am envisioning much laughter in heaven now…..sending much love to you Sherry. Robyn.

  70. Sharon Ward says:

    Sherry, It was a pleasure and privilege to be friends with you and Tuna. TLW events will surely be missing Tuna. He always had a smile on his face for all. Praying you know we are all thinking of you.

  71. Barbara Hoilien says:

    So very very sorry. Mike and I enjoyed the friendship with Tuna for many years.

  72. David Bohnsack says:

    so sorry to hear of your sad news I knew Tuna from high school he was always the life of the party and a great person to be around he will be sadly missed another great one gone my sympathies and condolences to the family

  73. Rick Sandvik says:

    RIP Tuna, so sorry for your loss Sherry he will be missed by so many. It was an honor to know him. God Bless.

  74. Erin Wanta (President, Portage County Tavern League) says:

    I am are so sorry for your loss. Tuna was a amazing person who always made me feel so welcomed at the conventions. They will not be the same without him. Now he is smiling down upon you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

  75. Kelly Dorsey says:

    We are so sorry to hear of your loss , he will be missed. Love you Cupcake& Thinking of you., Your friends Tom and Kelly

  76. Judy & Blaine Nowak says:

    Dear Sherry & Family of Tuna

    We are so very sorry for the loss of your husband, Tuna. We only met Tuna once long ago when we visited. During that brief meeting, we found him to be fun loving and a perfect match for you Sherry. There are no words to be said that can erase the pain of this loss. My heart is breaking for you.

    Please accept our deepest sympathy. Our love, thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family. May Tuna rest in external peace.

  77. Ninita says:

    I’m sorry for your loss prayers he was a great person