Duane W. Zabel, 94, of Manitowoc, passed away (Saturday, November 22) at Aurora Medical Center.
He was born October 3, 1931 in Watertown, WI, son of the late William F and Esther (Holzhueter) Zabel. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Watertown; educated at Elm Grove School, Town of Watertown, and graduated with the class of 1950 from Watertown High School.
He had worked for the Kroger Co., Kusel Dairy Equipment (Watertown) and Dairyland Cooperative. He served 21 months in Korea during his three-year enlistment in the U.S. Army. He married Lois Joy Schmeling on April 25, 1954 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
Duane was a graduate from the State Patrol Academy at Fort McCoy, Sparta and attended various schools as a member of the Wisconsin State Patrol, such as Northwestern University; Evanston, IL, and State Police Academy; Springfield, IL. He was promoted to the rank of Sargeant in 1965 and retired in 1984 after thirty years of service.
His hobbies were vast from playing Dartball and Softball; Demolition Derbies; Auto Racing; and competing in Pistol and Rifle Shoots. He enjoyed playing “Hearts” and “Cribbage” with the good people at the Manitowoc Senior Center. His great talents in repairing, improvising, constructing, cutting wood, and clearing land led him to help others with various projects. Over the years 1965-2014 Duane built 216 bird houses, tended to 108 bird houses in each of Manitowoc and Jefferson Counties making it possible for 1000’s of fledging blue birds and swallows until health issues no longer allowed him to continue. Donating blood was important to him where he donated 222 gallons (blood and platelets) from 1953-2014.
Duane is survived by two daughters, Linda Fitch (Thomas Watkins), Two Rivers; Wendy Zabel, Ocala, FL; three sons, Timothy, Manitowoc; Steven (Karen Jeans-Timler), Greenville, WI; and David (Analyn), Watertown, WI, five grandchildren; Olivia, Curtis, Gabriella, Melania, Zian; and Gabriella’s mother, Jane Zabel, Watertown. He is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Edward Hall, Mukwanago, a God Daughter, Deb Hall-Kind, several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Duane was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Lois, his parents and a brother, Donald, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Georgiann and Royal Ihlenfeld (Jefferson), Carolyn and Kenneth Lindert (Watertown), and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herbert and Dorothea Schmeling (Watertown). Nephews Edward Hall V, Jay Ihlenfeld, and Gregory Lindert also preceded him in death.
A private military graveside service has taken place at Evergreen Cemetery as per Duane’s wishes. Thank you to Pastor Jonathan Huehn for officiating and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 731 for their professionalism, dedication and reverence for all who serve. The family is also grateful for the staff members at both the Villa at Felician Village and Aurora Medical Center for their incredible kindness and compassion. Cremation has taken place by Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory. Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home has assisted with the arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Duane’s name would be appreciated to the Lakeshore Humane Society.
