Former Wisconsin newspaper photographer Daniel Wayne Loonstra, of Menomonie, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug, 10, at his home. He was 69.
Loonstra was born March 8, 1954, in Wisconsin Rapids to Robert and Marjorie (Kievet) Loonstra. He grew up on a hobby farm in the Town of Sherry in Wood County, Wisconsin, and graduated in 1972 from Auburndale High School and in 1974 from North Central Technical College in Wausau, where he earned a degree in graphic arts. He married Laura Ruth Hofland on Sept. 17, 1977, in Menomonie.
After graduating from college, Loonstra worked as a photographer at the Dunn County News from 1974 to 1978. During this time, he won several Wisconsin Newspaper Association awards for his photography. He was employed by Associated Printers, Inc., in North Hudson from 1978 to 1979 and 3M Menomonie from 1980 to 2015.
Loonstra retired as a manufacturing technician from 3M Menomonie in December 2015, after 35 years of service.
