Duane E. Natzke

Duane E. Natzke 59, Athens, died Friday December 9, 2011 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield surrounded by his loving family. Duane was born on August 28, 1952 in Neenah to the late Edward and Arline (Rhyner) Natzke. He attended country schools in the Neenah area, graduating from Neenah High School in 1970. He went on to attend UW-Stevens Point and graduated in 1974 with majors in Natural Resource Management and General Science. He then served as a Peace Corp Volunteer in the Fiji Islands from 1975 to 1976, teaching gardening and poultry-raising in rural villages and schools. Duane embraced his role as a steward of the blessings given to him by God. He lived that role in his work, family, church, and community. After returning from Fiji, Duane began farming in central Wisconsin, near Milan. It was there in Milan that he met the love of his life Kaye Totzke. Kaye and Duane married on September 25, 1982 at St. John Lutheran Church, town of Wien. After 25 years of farming, Duane continued to share his knowledge and love for the land with other farmers working as an agronomist with Heartland Cooperative in Dorchester. Duane was also a caring member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens, where he served in many capacities including trustee, treasurer, and active volunteer. His support for Christian education led him to serve on the Trinity Lutheran School Building Committee, where he was instrumental in the planning and construction of their new school in 1995. More recently he was looking forward to serving as the church council president in 2012. As an active member of the Athens community, Duane served on the Board of Education in the Athens School District from 1995-2007. He also served on the Board of Directors at the Athens Cooperative from 1980-1992. Survivors include his wife Kaye Natzke, Athens, his two sons, Andrew (Lori) Natzke, Kronenwetter and Benjamin Natzke, Viroqua, one brother, Ronald Natzke, Manawa, his brothers-in-law, Carl (Jean) Totzke, John Totzke and Aaron Totzke all of Edgar and his sisters-in-law, Jane (Jeff) Carlson, Eagen, Minnesota and Kris Totzke, Milwaukee. He is further survived by his nieces and nephews Kathy (Rob) Prozanski and her children Matthew, Brianna, and Cameron Wenzel, Jeff (Cydnee) Totzke, Jeremy Totzke and son Grayson, C. Anthony Totzke (Annette Eipers), Vicki (Brett) Finke and son Connor, Eric Totzke, Angela Totzke, Tiffany Totzke, Jessica Carlson, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and father and mother-in-law Albert and Agnes Totzke. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. The Rev. Andrew Alberts will officiate. Burial will be in Athens Lutheran Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call on Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. In the same spirit of generosity and caring that Duane possessed, the family requests memorials be given to LCMS World Relief and Human Care or Trinity Lutheran School. The family would like to thank Dr. Rao and the staff of the SICU and Palliative Care units at St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, for the kindness and compassion given to Duane and all of us during this difficult time. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home Athens is in charge of arrangements.