Dana James Weis

Dana James (Jim) WeisAugust 1955 - October 5, 2026Dana James (Jim) Weis was born in Portage, Wisconsin, to Reverend C. James and Lois Weis. He is the only brother to three sisters, Vicky, Loni, and Lauri. The Weis family moved to Baraboo, Wisconsin, when Dana was in the seventh grade. While a senior in high school, Dana met Debi Giles, a girl on the cheerleading squad. Seven years later, Debi became his wife. In total, Debi spent 54 years with Dana and was his constant companion and caregiver right through his death of advanced Parkinson’s Disease in 2026. Dana played tennis for Baraboo High School and sought out tennis tournaments in the hot, muggy days of Wisconsin summers. He did well in the heat and the hotter it got, the better he played. This athleticism was a consistent trait throughout his life.

Dana graduated from Baraboo High School in 1973. He graduated from the UW-Madison with degrees in Political Science and Economics. He studied for a semester at American University in Washington D.C. After college, Dana attended Marquette Law School from 1977-1980. After graduating from law school, he and his young wife wanted to live “anywhere north of Highway 10” in Wisconsin.They moved to Rhinelander where they built successful careers, invested in their community, and raised a family. Their children Kate, Sarah and Sam, were born in the early 80s when parents still kicked their children outside to ride bikes. As a father, Dana valued self-sufficiency and taught his children to never “pack more than you can carry in one load.” He was busy with his law career and always made time to stand on the edge of soccer games and shuttle all of his kids and most of their friends to ski and bike races and family trips to Florida. Jim had a fulfilling and impactful career with the Habush, Habush, & Rottier Law Firm. He was a talented trial lawyer whose professional success was driven by his desire to help others.

Dana will be remembered for his kindness, his sense of humor, his resilience, and for playing practical jokes on those closest to him and taking it a bit too far. Dana is survived by his wife, Debra (Giles); daughters, Sarah (Evelyn) Skoy and Katharine Weis; his sisters, Vicky Weis (Ann Laursen), Loni Schilt (Ron), and Lauri Weis (Lee Korpela); two grandchildren, Hadley and Fritz; daughter-in-law, Jenny Weis Parr (Charlie); colleague and honorary son, Peter Young (Anne); sisters-in-law, Paula (Keith) Muschinske and Linda (Thomas) Barnhart; many nieces, nephews, cousins, former colleagues and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Lois; his son, Sam; his parents-in-law, Duane and Carolyn Giles, and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and a few friends. 

Most impressively, Dana never railed against his limitations. He took his Parkinson’s diagnosis with grace. When he could no longer play tennis, he biked. When he could no longer bike, he walked. He was an exemplar for taking life as it comes and making the most of his circumstances. The Weis family would like to thank Dr. Laura Buyan-Dent, M.D., Ph.D. at UW-Health, Bay Harbor of Deforest Memory Clinic and Assisted Living, and Bristol Hospice. The professional caregivers at these organizations gave Dana unyielding and exceptional care. Dana died peacefully on a cool, crisp October early morning. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Baraboo First United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 5, 2026, with Visitation at 1 pm and the Service beginning at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the following organizations: Baraboo First United Methodist Church (Baraboo, Wisconsin); Sam Weis Memorial Scholarship (Rhinelander Area Scholarship Foundation); Second Harvest Food Pantry (Madison Wisconsin)

Thank you for being a part of our lives.

Take care