Dana John Walhovd

8/6/1962 - 12/29/2025

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Obituary For Dana John Walhovd

Dana John Walhovd left this world on Monday, December 29th, to join his parents Del and Esther (Cooper) Walhovd. He was born on Monday, August 6th, 1962, in Manchester, IA. He grew up in Hopkinton, IA, the youngest of 5. He helped his dad with roofing jobs and then worked at the creamery there. He graduated in 1980 from Maquoketa Valley HS in Delhi, IA. He and his family vacationed in his dad’s hometown of Birchwood, WI. He got his machinist degree at Marshalltown Community College. He married his high school sweetheart Mary Jo (Fessler) on November 28, 1981, in Earlville, IA.

After his mother passed in 1982, Dana decided he wanted to become a nurse. He shadowed his sister-in-law, Shari Dunkel, as she worked at Ertl Co and decided to enter nursing school. He graduated from Marshalltown School of Nursing in 1986. His first nursing job was at the University of Iowa Hospital in the oncology unit. On one of his trips to Birchwood, he heard that Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, WI was opening a heart unit, and he wanted to be a part of that. He moved his family north to begin his career at Luther Hospital, which later became the Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire Luther Campus. He worked in the ICU for 30 years, including 18 of those years as a supervisor, before retiring in 2021.

Dana is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; sons, Scott and his wife Steph of Oak Park, IL and Nathan and his wife Mallory of Eau Claire, WI; and granddaughter, Millie; brothers, Douglas of Valrico, FL, Bruce of Lake Wales, FL and Rod and Connie of Mauston, WI; sister, Jeanette in Lake Wales, FL; mother-in-law, Betsy Fessler of Earlville, IA; In-laws, Ann Fessler of Durango, IA, Don & Bev Fessler of Dundee, IA, Bob Fessler of Ashland, NE, Diane Aldrich, Chuck & Lisa Fessler all Manchester, IA, Bill & Phyllis Fessler of Biloxi, MS, Jack Fessler & Ann McBride of Keosauqua, IA, Karen Wulfekuhle of Dubuque, IA, Randy & Nicole Dunkel of West Des Moines, IA, Donna & David Offerman, Earlville, IA, Cindy & Doug Engelken, Dyersville, IA, Karla & Jerry Downs, Strawberry Point, IA; aunts, Joyce Strunz of Janesville, WI & Jean & Eugene Brown of Whitewater, WI, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Proceeding him in death - his parents, Del (1993) & Esther (1982); father-in-law, Robert Fessler (1990); sisters-in-law, Shari Dunkel (1986) & Connie Fessler (2023); brothers-in-law, Mike Fessler (2013), Mike Wulfekuhle (2020), & Delbert Aldrich (2020); nephew, Brian Fessler (1984); and niece, Shelly Gray (2019).

Celebrations of Life will be in Eau Claire, WI at Smith Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm with Nightingale Tribute at 2:00 pm and in Edgewood, IA at Edgewood Event Center on Saturday, January 17, 2026, meal from 12:00 pm - 1pm, with memories to follow. Casual attire for both events.

Friends are welcome to leave online condolences at www.smithfuneralec.com

We would like to invite family and friends unable to attend Dana's Nightingale Tribute to join us virtually by clicking he link below.

https://vimeo.com/event/5625674

Services

3 Jan

Celebration Of Life

01:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Smith Funeral Chapel 2222 London Rd Eau Claire, WI 54701 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Tributes

  • Beautiful Dreams

    Katherine Sodey sent Beautiful Dreams for Dana John Walhovd - 01/03/2026

    Our deepest sympathies Drew, Katie, Colin and Lily Sodey

  • 12 TREES

    Delia Vázquez planted 12 trees in memory of Dana John Walhovd . - 01/02/2026

  • 5 TREES

    Joseph Molde planted 5 trees in memory of Dana John Walhovd . - 01/01/2026

  • Traditional Floor Basket

    William Fessler sent Traditional Floor Basket for Dana John Walhovd - 12/31/2025

    Sorry for your loss. He is finally at peace. Bill & Phyllis Fessler

Condolences

  • 01/09/2026

    Sue Brahan-Poss

    Mary Jo and family, We were so saddened to see that Dana passed. He was a wonderful, remarkable man! We send our loving condolences and wish you Comfort and Peace. We are so sorry for your loss. Chris and Sue Poss

  • 01/03/2026

    Kevin & Debbie Weber

    Sending our love to the family and to all who knew Dana.

  • 01/02/2026

    Rebecca carlson11665@gmail.com

    I am sorry for your loss. Just wanted to let you know that when we were kids when we came to Dana's house for a family vacation in the summer. It was one of the highlights of my life. We would spend a week at aunt Esther and uncle Dell's in our cousins. It was one of our my highlights of the summer. I am so sorry for the loss of Dana. My prayers are with the whole family

  • 01/01/2026

    Beth O'Donnell

    Mary Jo our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Ì have fond memories of Dana professionally and personally. He was an excellent nurse and supervisor. One of my favorite memories is sharing gardening one summer with you both. Dana teasing me about having to.crawl around to plant seeds and later weed. He made a difference in patients and staffs lives. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

  • 01/01/2026

    Alex villanueva

    I going to miss you my friend ... The Best Fishing buddy

  • 01/01/2026

    Mirely Acevedo

    Such AN AMAZING HUMAN. I know you resting now. We will miss you 😢. Jo... I send you a big hug.

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