Dan Kapanke's family roots in the Coulee Region run deep, spanning more than a century. He was raised on the family homestead near Coon Valley, on land still farmed by his brother.

From his early days learning the '3 Rs' in a one room school house in the Town of Greenfield, continuing through his 1997 election as Chairman of the Town of Campbell, Dan Kapanke has shown a commitment to this area and its people.

He and his wife, Ruth, raised four children and have been happily married for 35 years. Now the grandparents of 10, the Kapanke's live in the house Ruth grew up in.

After a brief stint running a Holiday service station in Prairie du Chien in the 70s, Kapanke moved his family back to the La Crosse area as he pursued his degree in Political Science and Economics at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. A former substitute teacher in La Crosse Public Schools, Dan worked his way through college, making a living at various jobs; including home building and managing one of the first Kwik Trip stores.

For the last fifteen years Kapanke has worked as a regional sales manager for Kaltenberg Seed Farms, working with area farmers to improve their operations through sound seed selections, cropping plans and overall agronomic management.

A former member of the National Guard and the Marine Reserves, Kapanke is a graduate of Onalaska Luther High School. Dan and his family attend Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he has served on the Church Council for 18 years.

Kapanke is a member of the Board of Directors of the La Crosse Area Development Corporation and the La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. He also serves on the La Crosse Area Planning Committee (LAPC) and was a youth baseball coach for 15 years.

In 2003, Dan and Ruth brought a baseball team associated with the Northwoods League to La Crosse. The La Crosse Loggers have brought a big boost to the City of La Crosse and surrounding communities, while also bringing a fun, family atmosphere to Copeland Park for Logger, college and high school baseball fans.

Kapanke has served on the Town of Campbell Board for a total of 13 years. As Town Chair for seven years, Kapanke has worked to foster a sense of regional cooperation with the surrounding area, while fighting to preserve his community's right of self determination and local governance.

An example of Dan's accomplishments, he worked with SkipperLiner Industries to help develop the old Beacon Bay Marina into a new assembly plant and restaurant, which will create 54 new jobs as well as keep an additional 60 in the Coulee Region.

A consensus builder by nature, Dan Kapanke strives to bring his real world experience and Coulee Region work ethic to the Wisconsin State Senate.