David S. Hahn

David S. Hahn, age 63, of Ripon, WI, passed away after a short battle with a very aggressive cancer on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah, WI with his family by his side. Dave was born on January 13, 1962 in Ripon, WI; the son of Melvin and Evelyn (Petlock) Hahn. He attended Ripon High School. Dave was united in marriage to Kathleen Tonn. He was then united in marriage to his forever love, Debra Henriksen on July 7, 1995 in Berlin, WI.

In 1996, Dave taught Debbie how to drive a semi-truck. They then transitioned to operating their own company, Hahn Transport, LLC. J.M. Smucker Corporation was their principal customer for 25 years. Dave and Debbie made 51 annual trips to and from the west coast, crossing Donner Pass over 800 times. Dave and his team hauled the final shipments from Rippin Good Cookies and J.M. Smucker in Ripon.

Dave and Debbie bought property on Hall/Douglas Street, which has grown to a fleet of semis and hundreds of trailers. In 2023, Hahn Transport was a total loss due to a fire. Dave was determined to rebuild and came back bigger and better. His most recent project has been restoring the 1948 Hamie’s Standard Service Station in Ripon.

Dave was an active member of Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ and the American Historical Truck Society. He was dedicated to having an annual Car and Truck Show in Ripon bringing hundreds of vintage cars and trucks, and several hundred attendees.

Dave was talented in so many ways. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix and would fabricate any part that couldn’t be bought. His knowledge was so resourceful to so many people and many came to him for guidance. Dave dedicated his life to transportation and trailer leasing. He cherished his friendships dearly. But above all, his greatest pride and joy was his wife, his children, and grandchildren.

Dave is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughter, Felicia (Ken) Kiefer of Markesan; step daughter, Chrissy (Clint) Whitehouse of Van Dyne; grandchildren: Layna and Elowyn Kiefer, Jaeden, Kolsen, and Dawsen Whitehouse, Aubrey and Henry Bahr; mother, Evelyn Petlock of Berlin; sister, Linda Walker of Ripon; brother, Joel (Lori) Hahn of Ripon; niece, Stephanie (Cole) Degener of Two Rivers; nephews: Carter Hahn of Verona, and Cameron Hahn of Ripon; other relatives and many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Melvin; grandparents, Alfred and Grace Hahn, and Joseph and Viola (Ratajczak) Petlock; cousin, Darrin Schultz, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Duane and Amelia Henriksen. 

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 9:00AM to 12:00PM at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ, 343 Scott Street, in Ripon, WI.

Funeral services for Dave will be held at 12:00PM on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Our Saviour’s United Church of Christ with Reverend Dr. Kevin Mundell officiating. Burial will follow at Green Lake Center Cemetery in Green Lake, WI. Divine Passage Funeral Home in Ripon is serving the Hahn family during this difficult time. Divinepassagefunerals.com

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