Duane F. Wilcox

July 15, 1926 – January 23, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Duane Wilcox, age 97, on January 23, 2024. He passed peacefully at Riverwood Senior Living, where he resided with his wife of 73 years, Joan.

Duane's life was a full one of love, laughter, purpose and kindness. He was a positive thinker who embraced opportunities with enthusiasm. Born on July 15, 1926 to parents Elwood and Ruth, he grew up in River Falls, WI, in a home filled with hard work, humor and music.

Driven by a call to serve, he finished high school and enlisted in the Navy at 17, serving in the Pacific on the troop transport ship the USS President Polk. Following World War II, he returned to River Falls and enrolled at River Falls State Teachers College (UW-River Falls), where he met his wife Joan Johnson at the first dance of the fall semester.

Education and Career:

Duane graduated from the Teachers College in 1950 with teaching degrees in both science and music education, becoming its first Music Major graduate. In 1965 he completed his master's degree in music at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.

His first teaching job was in Glenwood City, and in 1953 he started his 32-year career teaching music and directing the band, choir and orchestra at Lancaster High School in Lancaster, WI.

Duane had a passion for all forms of music and the arts, and was driven throughout his life to help others explore, discover and share their talents. One example of this is the annual musical event called  "Cabaret", which he established in 1954 as a performance event and fundraiser for the high school music department. His children fondly recall how these annual events reflect their father's mission to give his students a place to pursue their interests in the performing arts, and showcase those talents. Duane remembered with gratitude all of the many teachers and community members who teamed up with him to make every Cabaret a success. Duane was also very proud of the numerous classes of band, choir, and orchestra students and members of the Song Spinners he taught over his long career.

Passions and Hobbies:

Duane was a talented musician and performer himself. He played nearly every instrument, but the french horn was his specialty. From singing in the Recruit Choir at Great Lakes during basic training and playing instruments with shipmates during the war to leading swing bands in college, decades playing in community bands, singing in his church choir, and leading a family band and holiday sing-alongs, music was a lifelong passion and a constant in the Wilcox household.

He and Joan were accomplished dancers too, filling each other's dance card from that day they first met until well into their 90s enjoying the "big bands" at The Chalet in Devils Lake State Park. Swing and ballroom dancing were particular favorites, and they were willing teachers, giving high school students a primer before each high school prom and their grandkids lessons out in the garage at family holidays.

He also had numerous other interests, many of which he taught himself, and then practiced so thoroughly that he could teach others. Teaching himself to repair classroom instruments led to an invitation to teach the String Instrument Repair Workshop at UW-Madison, which he did for over 20 years. He was also a talented self-taught wood carver, and hosted a community workshop for many years. Many family and friends' Christmas trees display Duane's carved Santa ornaments.

Duane was fascinated with science his entire life. It's incredible to think of the extent of scientific advancements he experienced during his life, and he was tuned in to every one of them - from mapping the genome to advances in cures and treatments, to the images from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. Every visit with him included a science lesson.

The outdoors also brought Duane joy. The family jokes lovingly about him stopping the car to just take in the beauty of cows on the hillside on a nice day, but that was Duane - he knew how to savor a moment, and deeply appreciated the natural world. He loved traveling the US, especially national parks, and stopping at every single scenic overlook to take in the view. In addition, he and Joan traveled the world enjoying an African safari, China, Russia, Australia, the Panama Canal, Europe, and numerous islands. Conservation was also important to him, and among many related activities, he and Joan managed bluebird houses and tracked nesting activity across Sauk County for many years. He was also an avid skier into his late 80s,  enjoying the sport he shared with his family until he was 87, a year in which he skied 17 times before calling it quits!

Community Life:

Duane will also be remembered for his dedication to his community. As an educator, he was a long-time and active member of the Wisconsin Teachers Association and the Wisconsin Bandmasters' Association, serving as the latter's president for a time. As a 30-year member and Assistant District Governor of his Kiwanis Club, he started an annual rose sale that brought critical dollars to community needs and supported Camp Wawbeek, the Easterseals camp for campers with disabilities.  He was also a proud and active member of the American Legion and VFW. The profound and lasting impact of his military service on his life showed in many ways, from his deep sense of community, to his presence at the WWII memorial dedication in Washington D.C., to his campaign and WWII Victory Medals displayed with reverence and pride of place through his last day.

Family:

His loved ones will also remember Duane for his levity, mischievous humor, and ability to lift others' spirits, and for his deep love for his family. He was a friend to everyone, living each day with purpose and maximizing every hour – he was always doing good.

Duane is survived by his beloved wife, Joan; sons, Steve (Terri) of Hudson, WI and Jeff (Sharon) of Wisconsin Dells, WI; daughter, Betsy (Bob) of Port Washington, WI; his 5 grandchildren, Chris (Kristen), Erin (Chris), Kate (Mike), Kiira (Nick) and Leigh (Josh); and his 4 great-grandchildren, Finley, Penelope, Grace, and Beren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Howard, sister, Donna, and infant brother, Leroy.

Memorial Service:

A joint memorial service for Joan and Duane Wilcox
Saturday, October 18,
at Trapper's Turn, Wisconsin Dells

Visitation  10:00 – 11:30
Celebration of the Lives of Joan and Duane Wilcox   11:30 – 12:30
Luncheon   12:30 – 2:30

Private Family Interment at the cemetery in Tomah

In Lieu of Flowers:

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Duane's memory to causes he cared deeply about.

Easterseals Wisconsin Camp Wawbeek
A chief support goal of the local Kiwanis club throughout Duane's tenure, was regular and substantial support to Camp Wawbeek. He and other Kiwanians were the work crew at the camp for cleanup days and repairs. They adopted and funded special needs at the camp. Duane had a strong sense of community service, and this was his opportunity to act on that commitment both through Kiwanis and privately.

To contribute to this cause in Duane's memory, please mail a check to:

Wisconsin Dells Kiwanis Club
Attention: Steve Stuelke
PO Box 524
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Please make the check payable to:  Wisconsin Dells Kiwanis Club

With the notation:  Duane Wilcox, Camp Wawbeek

Duane Wilcox Stage in the Performance Plaza at the Schreiner Memorial Library in Lancaster, WI
The dedication of this special place, and the stage in his name, meant so much to Duane. He was proud and honored to lend his name as a representative of all the music directors that dedicated their teaching careers to providing music performance and arts performance opportunities for kids in Lancaster. He thought the Performance Plaza was a wonderful venue for performances that enriched community life for every age in his beloved town.

To contribute in Duane's memory to enhancements to the Wilcox Stage and Performance Plaza, including the addition of a conductor podium and lighting for the band, please donate directly to the Lancaster Public Library Foundation by mail or online.

Please designate the "Duane Wilcox Stage" in your submission. Mailing address and their PayPal donation link can be found on the https://schreinermemoriallibrary.org/lancaster-public-library-foundation/

Thank you for honoring Duane through your tribute.

Condolences:

The family appreciates all the love and support during this difficult time, and invites you to share your memories and stories of Duane. Please share your thoughts here if you'd like.

Link to Joan's Obituary: https://www.pichafuneralhome.com/obituary/joan-wilcox