Niwāpet Dave "Firekeeper" Oshkosh, Sr., MS., also known as OZ, started his journey on Sunday November 16, 2025. He was born to Roland and Catherine (Waukau) Oshkosh on May 13, 1947, in Keshena.

He grew up at Crows Nest north of Neopit, Dave became a hero at a young age. He often told the story of taking out the nun who was his teacher on the sledding hill at St. Anthony's. Dave worked many jobs first working at a lumber mill in Mattoon he then joined the United States Air Force and was a bomb loader and canine specialist. Dave was head security for numerous years at the MT Veterans Powwow. He dabbled in sawyer, construction, painter, carpentry and bartender. He was a Boy Scout Troop leader and fire chief in Neopit, shotgun rider and an EMT. He worked for MTE in the woodworking division and in the woods marking trees.

Dave started his education at NAES college and went on to the University of Minneapolis where he received a Master of Science degree. Dave became an educator at the Menominee Schools teaching forestry to middle and high school students. He later taught classes at NAES college. He was very proud to have been the first educator in Wisconsin to develop a forestry curriculum. His former students still say he was the coolest teacher. His classroom was the forest and the minute his students walked off the cement he would say "Now you're in the land of OZ".

Dave was married to Jean Haack and later divorced. Later he had three children with Deb Wayka and five children by Carol Fish. At the age of 58, he had one child with his current wife, Ann M. Oshkosh. Dave and Ann leaped into love on February 29, 2024.

Dave was preceded in death by his mother and father; his big brother, Roland (Big OZ) Oshkosh; sisters, Roberta Robinson, Ramon Wheelock and Rowena Oshkosh.

Dave is survived by his wife, Ann; children, Mitchell, Catherine (Gary), Tracy, Mequon (Dunelle), Maia (Jack), Manih, Tesa (Tate), Brett, James (Alexandria), Kookie, Angel (Kyle) and Jazzlynn; 24 grandchildren, Eugene, Leyla, Olivia, CJ, Nikkolas, Āsenīk, Aiyana, Jayana, Mitchell, Aurora, Izabella, Axel, Arya, Max, Grant, Memphis, Menominelle, Mequonehsaeh, Gracie, Dawson, Tsia Josette, Daxton Wayne, Tace Louis, Alexander James and two grandbabies arriving in 2026; godchildren, Flora Madosh and Bobby Lynn Wheelock; sister-in-law, Susie Oshkosh; and many traditionally adopted children, Jordon Hislaw, Weston Wood and Dan Blackowl. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

A traditional service will at held at Zoar Ceremonial burial grounds on Wednesday November 19, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be held at Zoar Ceremonial building starting on Monday November 17, 2025, from 4:00 pm until Wednesday at 2:00 pm. A traditional fire will be kept at the Oshkosh family residence W2636 Chief Josette Street Keshena until Wednesday morning at dawn.