A 21-year-old Menasha man has died from complications of blastomycosis that he encountered during a river tubing trip this summer in northeastern Wisconsin.
Daniel Rens died on Dec. 1, according to his obituary.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is aware of a death due to blastomycosis associated the Little Wolf River outbreak of the fungal disease, said Jennifer Miller, a DHS spokesperson.
During the summer, the department investigated dozens of cases of blastomycosis in people who said they visited the Little Wolf River near New London.
The disease causes pneumonia and flu-like symptoms. It comes from inhaling fungal spores and in some cases, it can be fatal.
A memorial service for Rens will be held 1:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at First United Methodist Church, E. Franklin St., Appleton, with visitation from 10:30 a.m. until service time at the church, according to Wichmann Funeral Home Tri-County Chapel of Menasha.
An online fundraiser to raise money for Rens’ family to help with medical bills and funeral expenses has been started by Callie Kiesow, who said she’s a friend of Dan who attended high school with him. Link to the Go Fund Me page at https://www.gofundme.com/2pd76k92
-- The Associated Press contributed.
