GoFundMe Denny Oechsner with his dad.
A GoFundMe page has been set up in the memory of Denny Oechsner, a 17-year-old boy who died in a tragedy on I-43, and tributes are flowing in for the teen, who was a well-liked local soccer player in the Cedarburg, Wisconsin, area.
You can find the GoFundMe page here to help the family. As of March 15, it had raised more than $60,000. Jessie Juergensen, Oechsner’s cousin, set up the fundraiser.
“On March 14th, 17 year old Denny Oechsner was called home to be with Jesus in heaven,” she wrote. “We are raising money to help cover the cost of Denny’s funeral and any other unexpected expenses. We are overwhelmed by the support we have received so far and can’t thank you all enough for helping the Oechsner family during this time.”
The Facebook page “What’s happening in Oz? Ozaukee County Community Alerts Police Fire EMS Etc” reprinted a message it said was from Denny’s mother in which she said CTE and concussions from playing soccer led to the tragedy, including head trauma from the week before. You can read that in full here.
In a news release on the March 14, 2023, tragedy, the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Department wrote that the teen was a 17-year-old from Cedaburg.
If you are struggling, the Prevent Suicide organization has crisis lines available for each county in Wisconsin. You can find them here. You can find other resources to get help here.
Here’s what you need to know:
Denny Oechsner Was Remembered as a Soccer Player Who ‘Was Always Someone Who Could Put a Smile on Your Face’
The All World All-Stars
Denny Oechsner – Living World
Joey Melke – Germantown
Jack Bretzmann – NB Eisenhower
Tanner Summ – Nicolet
Christian Schmidt – MUHS
Aiden Myers – MUHS
Eric Lohse – MUHS
Maxwell Dudan – Homestead
Aidan Ferber – MUHS
Nico Gagliano – Tosa East
People left tributes to Denny Oechsner on the GoFundMe page. “Denny was one of my favorite people to work with at firehouse, and was able to make those closing shifts far more of a joy to work, he will be missed by all of us at firehouse,” wrote one woman. Another person wrote, “I work at Firehouse Subs and had the pleasure of working with Denny one or two times. He was such a wonderful person and a joy to be around. He will be truly missed by me and by all of us here.”
Many tributes referenced Oechsner being a soccer player. “I’ve known Denny for about 8-9 years now. Denny was always someone who could put a smile on your face. He was a great teammate and I loved the soccer journey I got to experience with him. We love you Den,” wrote another.
The release says the teen “suddenly entered I-43 intentionally from the Ulao Parkway overpass” and was struck by a semi-tractor/trailer driven by a 62-year-old Green Bay man.
People in the Community Are Rally to Support the Family of Denny Oechsner
Congrats to our very own Denny Oechsner! He was named 2nd Team Lutheran High School All-American for his efforts on the pitch this past season. Denny is one of the select few to earn this distinction. Great work, Denny!
Local Menus and Events in Ozaukee County shared the GoFundMe page and wrote, “This morning, I was messaged and asked to share the GOFUND ME that was set up for the funeral and related expenses for the family of the teen who tragically took his own life. The teen’s name is Denny.” The page continued:
Yesterday, I said that as a community we would be there to support the family in any way possible. I meant it. If you are able and willing to help monetarily, I have attached the GOFUND me that was set up for them. We all know that money can’t bring this young man back, but it can help a family make sure that he gets the funeral and celebration of life that he deserves, along with related expenses.
There are so many people affected by this tragedy. Please keep Denny’s family, friends, school personnel, the semi- truck driver, and the emergency personnel on scene in your thoughts and prayers as well.
Just a few days ago, a Facebook post indicated that Oechsner was named to the Lutheran High School All-American team. His mother is an art teacher at the school, social media posts indicate.
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