Dayle Coburn

Dayle Davere Coburn Gratiot, WI, passed away at home on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Dayle was born on January 4, 1953 in Waterloo, IA to Pauline (St. Clair) and Dayle Coburn.

Dayle's mother was killed in a tragic car accident on Christmas Eve 1963, leaving Dayle and his three siblings to be raised by their loving Grandma Sanderson. Dayle graduated from high school in Cedar Rapids, IA where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Sue (Carpenter) Hellentall, in 1970.  That union resulted in two loving children, Chad Coburn and Shellie Jewett (Cedar Rapids IA).  

After exploring various career opportunities, Dayle worked as a general laborer and drywall hanger for most of his life.  He traveled from one area of the country to another, following building booms in Florida, Louisiana and Colorado.  He loved the solitude and natural beauty of the mountains most of all.

In the early 1990s, Dayle's work brought him to Madison WI where Leean White hired him to complete repairs on her house.  Little did either of them know that partnership would last more than 33 years.

As a lover of nature, Dayle relished the time he spent at the Mississippi River, camping, fishing and bird watching.  Spotting bald eagles, herons and sandhill cranes brought him special pleasure.  Tragically, the trophy fish he dreamed of never materialized, but watching a sunset over the Mississippi River made the effort worthwhile.

He often reminisced about the good old days, sharing stories of those good times to anyone willing to listen.

Retirement provided Dayle and Leean time to enjoy live music, one of their shared passions.  They followed one band in particular for more than 10 years and became part of “the Hoodoo family.”  The music, love and laughter those people brought to Dayle's life is remarkable.  Eric, Zach and Aaron remain steadfast friends.

Dayle's greatest love, however, was for his children and grandchildren.   Chad and Shellie provided Dayle with four grandsons (Dylan (Ellie) Ferguson, Shawn (Danessa) Coburn, Nicholas Robertson, Kyler Coburn and 6 great grandchildren.

Dayle was preceded in death by his grandmother, his parents, and younger brother Dan.  He is survived by his partner Leean White, his children Chad (Andrea Havelacek) and Shellie (Roy) Jewett of Cedar Rapids, IA, his sisters Betty Coburn of Waterloo, IA and Cindy Van Riper of Des Moines, IA.

Per Dayle's request, a private family memorial service will be held at a later date. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com  

Memorials in Dayle's name may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The family would like to thank staff of St. Croix Hospice for their loving care and support.