Daniel J. Bignell

Daniel John Bignell, age 52, of Menomonie, WI, passed away at home on Saturday, August 22, 2026, following a sudden heart attack.

Dan was born November 30, 1973, in Red Wing, MN, to William J. Bignell and Arlene K. (Schmidt) Bignell. He grew up in Menomonie and graduated from Menomonie High School in 1992.

Dan married the love of his life, Jennifer Beth Dickerson, on August 8, 1998, at Lake Street United Methodist Church in Eau Claire, WI. Together, they raised their three beautiful daughters, Brenna (Brendog), Lyndzi (Tigger), and Emmy (Animal), and built a beautiful life together in Dunnridge Estates. Dan and Jen cherished their annual anniversary trips, always kicking things off with a “free night at Turtle Lake Casino”, then hitting the road in search of thrift sales before ending up at their favorite little place on the Flambeau, where they enjoyed fishing, Yahtzee, and Cribbage. Their love, laughter, and traditions were at the heart of their life together. Dan remained a loving and devoted husband and partner to Jen until his very last breath.

For much of his life, Dan worked alongside his dad and brother in the family logging business, where he took great pride in carrying on the family tradition. Following his time at Bignell Logging, he worked as a Heavy Machine Operator at Pember Companies. Most recently, he was employed as the Shop Coordinator at Century Traffic in Knapp.

Dan enjoyed auctions, collecting guns, finding treasures at the dump, hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors—usually with his best friend and partner in crime, his dad. They shared plenty of adventures, laughs, and weekends doing what they enjoyed most. Dan was a master griller and chef. His family and friends could always count on his famous grilled chicken and various renditions of a cucumber salad.

Dan found great joy in being a dad to his three girls. He loved surprising them with Kwik Trip Glazers and orange juice, sharing a true “logger’s lunch”—gas station pizza, Bug Juice, and Haribo gummy bears and worms—and giving each of them their own special nickname. At the cabin on Island Lake, he looked forward to pulling them on the tube, building campfires, and spending time together. He especially cherished Fourth of July parades and fireworks, taking the neighborhood kids on Halloween hayrides, and their annual apple orchard, pumpkin patch, and Christmas tree farm traditions.

Dan is survived by his wife, Jen, of Menomonie; daughters Brenna (Jack) of Missoula, MT, Lyndzi (Albert), and Emmy, both of Charleston, SC; and his grandson, Remy Genius. He is also survived by his father, Bill (Barb) Bignell of Minong; mother, Arlene (Jim) Belmore of Eau Claire; brother, Bill of Chippewa Falls; sister, Angela of Eau Claire; as well as many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and good friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sydney and Alma Bignell and Louis and Vera Schmidt, and his beloved black lab, Bella, who was his loyal companion and special friend for 15 years.

In lieu of flowers, plants are preferred, as they loved watching them grow.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2026 at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI with Celebrant Teresa Pejsa officiating. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com