SPARTA - Duane Lyle Wenzel, 81, of Sparta, passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2021, at the Gundersen Health System, La Crosse. He was born March 19, 1940 to Lyle and Adeline Wenzel.
Duane is survived by his sister, Patricia (Robert Evans) of Brainerd, MN, James Wenzel of La Crosse and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Kenneth and Donald and sister-in-laws, Karen Wenzel and Pamela Wenzel.
Duane came to live with Dick and Louise Evans, Bangor, WI, at the age of 14 as a hired hand. He stayed with the family for 55 years doing all types of farm work, milking cows, field work, and working up the crop ground.
He loved driving his beloved dump truck, his John Deere 4020 tractor, his John Deere Gator and his red scooter around the farm. During the harvest season he loved hauling grains to the Country Farm Supply. He looked forward to the deer hunting season on the farm. Duane thought of Sparta and Bangor as his home.
He eventually lived in one of the farm houses located in Sparta, and in 2015 he moved into the Morrow Home Community Assisted Living of Sparta. He made himself right at home with residents and staff. He was very well liked there and found new and close friendships. In February of 2015, the Morrow Community selected him as their “King of Hearts” and he retained his status as Royalty for the rest of his life. He enjoyed riding in the Butterfest parade and attending the summer Concert in the Park.
Duane loved putting together puzzles and assembling models. He was a talented artist and spent hours etching and drawing. Duane was a man of deep faith and spent time every day in God’s Word, knowing that God was in control of all things. He loved all John Wayne films and treasured his John Wayne blanket.
All who knew Duane will truly miss him. Duane’s memories of working on the farm never were forgotten as he had a great memory. People found joy in hearing stories of those years. Thank you to the Morrow Home Community for their dedication to Duane’s needs and happiness.
A public visitation and a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 24 at the Dickinson Funeral Home, 401 Main Street, Onalaska with visitation at 9:00 AM and services at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Mormon Coulee Cemetery. Pastor Scott Skogen will officiate.
Dickinson Funeral Home
