Duane W. Reed, age 91, of rural Tigerton passed away Saturday, June 18, 2022, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, Neenah.
Duane William Reed was born on July 8, 1930, in New London to Farrel and Helen (O’Brien) Reed. He grew up in New London and graduated from New London High School. Duane entered the U.S. Army and served four years with the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War.
He met the love of his life Donna M. Gartzke at Bear Lake, and they were united in marriage on August 19, 1955. The couple built a home in Greendale, Wisconsin, in 1960. He first worked as a crane operator at Kimmel’s Salvage Yard and then he was employed at the gravel pit by Vulcan Materials Company, both in Oak Creek. After close to 40 years as a heavy equipment operator he retired in 1992.
Duane was a member of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Greendale, and is currently a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bowler. He is a former member of the American Legion Post 416 of Greendale and a current member of American Legion Post 239 of Tigerton.
Duane and Donna moved north and in 1985 built a home in the Town of Morris, Shawano County. His wife of 65 years preceded him in death on February 28, 2021.
Survivors include two daughters, Terry Wiskes of Wittenberg and Jeri (Gerald) Hartman of Winslow, Arkansas. There are five grandchildren; Jeffrey (Marnee) Henry, Jessica Wiskes, Jennifer Wiskes, Justin Wiskes, and Ashden White; and two great grandsons, Tanner Bakker and Stetson Wiskes. He is further survived by a sister, Eileen (Ray) Peterson of Waupaca; a brother, Lyn (Bonnie) Reed of Mountain; one brother-in-law, William Gartzke of Manawa; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Donna; a son-in-law, Michael Wiskes; two brothers, Neil and Martin; three sisters, Marion, Jane, and Lois; and two sisters-in-law, Gwen and Ginny.
Memorial Service will be held on Monday, June 27th at 11:00 AM at Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Tigerton, with Rev. Mark Hesse officiating. Military Honors will be provided by members of the American Legion Post 239 of Tigerton. Visitation will be held on Monday from 10:30 AM until time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials are preferred to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 201 E. Wall St., Bowler, WI 54416. Please go to www.beil-didier.com to sign the online guestbook or to send a card to the family.
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