Our Story

On February 20th, our friend, husband, and dedicated community member Dan Breister suffered a devastating workplace accident. While working for Winnebago County’s Highway Department—a job he has devoted more than 25 years to—he was run over by a snowplow. The injuries were severe, altering his future in ways none of us could have imagined.

Dan has always been someone who thrives on movement. He finds joy in tending his garden, cutting grass, and lending a hand wherever needed. Whether volunteering at the food pantry or officiating youth and high school sports, he has spent his life giving to others. But now, he faces a difficult reality: the active life he once knew is no longer within reach.

The Road Ahead

Dan sustained multiple traumatic injuries. Both of his fibulas, his left foot, and his right ankle are fractured. His pelvis is chipped. Most concerning, however, is a severe avulsion injury to his right thigh, which caused significant tissue loss. Surgeons are working tirelessly to reconstruct his leg, but his mobility will never be the same. The extent of his recovery remains uncertain, dependent on the success of the upcoming surgeries and intensive rehabilitation.

For now, he is stable. Yet, his path forward will be long and grueling. He will endure multiple operations, lifelong physical therapy, and emotional healing from such a traumatic event. The life he envisioned after retirement—one filled with the activities he loved—has been irreversibly changed.

How You Can Help

Many have reached out, asking how they can support Dan. His medical costs will be covered through worker’s compensation, but there are many challenges his family now faces. His wife, Jenny, has been by his side every day in Milwaukee, ensuring he receives the best care possible. She advocates for him when he struggles to do so himself, helps him manage his pain, and supports him in following his doctors’ orders—including consuming an exhausting 190 grams of protein daily to aid his recovery. But being there for Dan means stepping away from her livelihood, staying away from home, and commuting to Milwaukee.

We created this GoFundMe primarily to provide updates and a space for people to share messages of encouragement. If you’d like to contribute financially, any support will go toward easing the financial strain of Jenny remaining at his side and helping Dan return home. But above all, we want people to understand the gravity of Dan’s situation, to stay informed, and to keep him in their thoughts.

Dan has always been the first to show up for others. Now, as he faces this incredibly difficult road, we are grateful for those who are showing up for him.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

EDIT: 3/2/2025

We didn't realize you couldn't leave messages here without donating. We apologize. Here's a link to a Google form where you can leave a message for Dan without any donation required. Feel free to leave multiple messages at any time, he's loved the ones on this page already. You can see how others are wishing Dan well by following this link.

EDIT: 3/3/2025

Today was Dan's most alert and engaged day so far. He was ready for his 6th trip to the operating room in 11 days. The procedure went as planned. They cleaned his leg wound again, didn't have to remove much additional tissue, and replaced his wound vac.

They inserted a long term feeding tube today to help him get the 190g of protein needed each day during his recovery. Post operation, his nausea had reduced, and he finally asked for something to eat :-)