Lynn E. Duke

Lynn E. Duke (Elwood), age 84, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2023 at his home in Waunakee, WI. Lynn was born in Everette WA, the second of four boys, to Donald E. and Marguerite M. (Rock) Duke on April 27, 1938. In 1943 Donald and Marguerite moved the family, William (Sandra), Donald Jr. (Mary), Lynn and Jerry (Edith) to Rockford, IL where Lynn attended school until he enlisted in the Navy when he was 17. While in the Navy he served as a diesel engine technician on the Finch, Joyce and Banner Navel ships. During one of his leaves from the service Lynn met Mary J. Ostenson in a local diner. After only 10 days Lynn asked Mary’s father for his approval to marry her. Being told he would have to wait to see if he came back from deployment did not deter Lynn and they were married on May 9, 1959. When separated from the Navy in 1960 Lynn and Mary settled in the Beloit area where Lynn work at multiple places including Fairbanks Company, Goodalls Gas Station and even ran his own Tractor and Tire Repair Service for a while. Together they built a house and settled in Orfordville, WI to have 6 children. Shirley K. Hiatt (Jeff Sr), Carlton L. Duke, Michael L Duke, John P. Duke (Amy), Todd A. Duke, and Rebecca J. Martin (David). In 1979, with the 2 older children out of the house, Lynn and Mary moved to Rhinelander, WI to be caretakers for a boy’s reading camp. In 1983 due to health issues Lynn was forced out of the manual labor that he loved. Lynn loved to build and fix things all his life. He was incredibly proficient at being able for figure out systems and how they worked. While still in Rhinelander he went back to school at Nicolet College to get his G.E.D. The family moved to Oregon WI where Lynn continued his education at Madison Area Technical College to become a Respiratory Therapist. Lynn took great pride in the fact that he was the 42nd person in the state to be licensed in this chosen occupation. He worked at Stoughton Hospital until he was medically retired in 1992. In retirement Lynn and Mary purchased an RV to travel and see the country. They decided to park in Cadiz, Ky. in 1993 to be closer to his youngest brother, Jerry Duke (Edith). They lived in Kentucky for over 25 years before his failing health brought them back to Wisconsin in 2020. Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: William and Jerry and his son Todd Allen. He is survived by his wife, Mary and 5 children along with a multitude of grandchildren, great grandchildren and even one great great granddaughter. Visitation and services will be held for Lynn on February 6th 2023 at 11 am and 12 pm respectively at Luther Valley Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI. A luncheon will be served after.

Lynn E. Duke

April 27, 1938 - February 1, 2023