Daniel Kirchstein

It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of our beloved Daniel Warren Kirchstein, 42 of Mount Horeb, WI. He joined our Heavenly Father on March 22nd, 2021, peacefully, surrounded by his family. “Danny” as we called him, was born on August 21, 1978, to James Kirchstein and Nancy Kirchstein in Madison, WI.

Danny grew up on 100 acres of beautiful countryside, where he spent many of his days exploring the woods, snowboarding at Tyrol Basin, playing soccer, drawing, and spending time with friends and family. Growing up in the country, his older brother Matt and younger sister Eva were his first and best friends, and that closeness to his loving, extended family continued throughout life.

He graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1997 and soon after moved to San Francisco, and later to Los Angeles, where he attended Otis College of Art and Design. After spending a number of years in Los Angeles, he eventually made the move back to his roots in Wisconsin.

Danny was a multifaceted artist. From an early age, he had a whip-quick ability to capture life and beauty in his drawing. Later he combined that talent with his cutting-edge digital design skills. He leaves a body of work that includes website design, audio-video production, as well as many personal creations from portraits to sculptures. His talent was sought after for his specialty in creative interpretation and conceptualization, motion graphics, concept development and branding. He was particularly proud and happy to be currently working at the KennedyC Ad Agency in Madison, WI. He really felt at home there and was able to fully apply his abilities. During his career, he has won awards for his work, including 2 regional Emmy’s. He was also very generous with his time and talents, often donating his skills for worthy causes.

He had a lifelong yen for adventure and travel. Over the years his trips ranged from Japan, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and many others, including Africa, where he spent a year working as a video journalist. He especially loved the new cuisines he discovered and enthusiastically shared his culinary creations with friends and family.

Danny was admired and loved by his family and friends for his deeply warm, humble, empathetic, and non-judgmental nature. His core was truly full of light and positive energy, with a great sense of humor. He always sought to find the beauty and good in others and to find ways to support and encourage them.

His ultimate pride and joy was his beautiful 8-year-old daughter, Cielo. They shared a deep bond and had so much in common; sweet and gentle souls, a love of animals, music, making art, and the ability to laugh at themselves. We are all deeply grateful to have her and her mother Nilsa Feliz in our lives.

Besides his daughter, he is survived by his father James Kirchstein, mother Nancy Kirchstein (Rob Helm), brother Mathew (Kwan) Kirchstein, sister Eva Walz, half-siblings Betty Lou (Rodney) Knight, Vicki (John) Widdicombe, Helen (Ricky) Evanson, Jim (Jenni) Kirchstein and Lydia Kirchstein, cousin Jeremiah Mathews, ten nieces and nephews, as well as many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Danny had graciously chosen to give the gift of life by donating his organs. A special thanks to St. Mary’s ICU for the care, respect, and support we received there. We are proud that he was able to give life to others, and he will always be a hero in our hearts.

Due to COVID restrictions, we will be planning a future celebration of life.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, an educational account has been set up in his daughter’s name Cielo Kirchstein. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 628442 Middleton, WI 53562 or through the fundraiser set up by a family friend: https://gofund.me/e2a13183

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434