Donald Wentzel Obituary

"Duke" Donald J. Wentzel, age 89 of Altoona IA walked into the arms of the Lord on August 31, 2024 and was reunited with his sunshine, Beverly. Duke was born to Charles and Hattie (Dirksen) Wentzel on August 10, 1935 on a farm south of Marion, SD.

Duke grew up farming and developed a strong work ethic at a young age, filling baskets with corn cobs for the kitchen stove, fetching coal for the pot belly stove and picking corn by hand and throwing it into a horse drawn wagon. At age 9 or 10 he set pins at the bowling alley. Later he worked part time on different farms for $5 a week. When he was 18 years old, he went to work for Boeing Airplane Company training for several different positions and worked in several departments. Duke went to work for Cessna Aircraft Company in 1956 and was employed there for 13 years. He was also employed by Cessna dealerships in Shakopee, MN and Mosinee, WI. He also worked in construction building homes, eventually working for Stanley Magic Door Inc. until Duke and Bev opened their business, Lakeland Automatic Doors near Wausau / Aniwa WI. Later the business was moved to Altoona, IA and eventually sold at the time of their retirement.

Duke touched the heart of many people. He was a kind soul and enjoyed helping family, neighbors and friends. Duke sang in the church choir for many years and looked forward to the Holiday and Iowa State Fair performances.

Duke had two sons, Robert "Bob" and Michael "Mike" from a previous marriage. Duke later remarried Beverly in 1976 and inherited 5 children: Debra, John, Penny, Don and Pam.

Duke is survived by his sister, Carol Graber of Lennox, SD, children Bob (Linda) Wentzel of Huntington Beach CA, Mike Wentzel of Mosinee WI, Debra (Michael) Crawford of Mauston WI, John Cole of Florence WI, Penny (John) Krantz of Des Moines IA, Donald (Hang) Cole of Des Moines IA and Pam (Jim) Sydow of Minocqua WI. and grandchildren, Kim (Chris) Williams, Cindi (David) Spence, Tracy Cole, John "Andy" Cole, Jake Cole, Kendall "KC" (Dawn) Madsen, Adam (Julia) Madsen and Minh Tran, 16 great grandchildren and 4 great- great grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Charley and Hattie, wife Beverly, siblings, Robert, Marvin, Clifford, Verna, Lawrence and grandchildren Teacy Schramm and Stephanie Madsen.

Services will be held on September 5, at Lutheran Church of The Cross in Altoona, IA at 1:00 pm with reception to follow.

Interment will be at the Mauston City Cemetery, Mauston WI at 1:00pm on Saturday, September 7.

Memorials may be given to Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona.

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