Robert William "Bob" Duensing

STAR LAKE, Wis. – Robert "Bob" William Duensing, 88, of Star Lake, passed away peacefully on Feb. 9, 2011, and Rebecca "Becky" (Bartley) Duensing, 86, of Star Lake, passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2011. Both of them originally were from Algonquin and had retired to Star Lake.
Bob was the son of Minnie and Arnold Duensing and was born on May 22, 1922, in Elgin. Becky was the daughter of Miles and Florence Bartley and was born July 18, 1924, in Howard, Pa.
He was active in numerous local organizations, including the Ballard-Irving-White Birch Lakes Association and the Star Laker's Club, and he was on the board of directors for the Vilas County Museum and Historical Society.
His favorite activities included woodworking, fishing, waterskiing, camping and computers. He enjoyed family camping trips, travel and spending time with friends. He greatly enjoyed family gatherings with his many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Becky also was active in numerous local organizations including garden club, book club, women's club, and the library.
Her favorite activities included baking and preparing large meals for family gatherings. She enjoyed cooking over a campfire, hiking, fishing, flower arranging, crossword puzzles, family picnics and spending time with her many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
They were both devoted Christians and enjoyed and participated in many church activities, both in their youth and as adults. Bob said that his faith in God gave him emotional stability during difficult times.
Becky's most satisfying civic accomplishment was achieving the state of Wisconsin's approval for designating Highway K a rustic road between M and N in Vilas County. She appreciated and wanted to preserve the canopy of trees over the meandering 13 miles of road that runs through the scenic Northern Highland State Forest.
He is survived by a brother, Don (Mary Lou) Duensing. She is survived by five sisters and two brothers, Jane (the late Ken) Moorehead, Rose (the late Day) Phillips, Dorothy (Max) Harter, Vera (the late Butch) Brumbaugh, Ruth (Joe) Wurtzbacher, Carl Bartley and Doyle (Bonnie) Bartley; a brother-in-law, Vern Clark; and a sister-in-law, Helen Bartley.
They are both survived by their children, Jerry (Pat) Dunkle, Kathy (the late Robert) Lesak, Sally (Ian) Duensing-Grand, Bill Duensing, Nancy (the late Bernie) Piel, Sue Specht and Susan (wife of Robert A.) Duensing. They also were loving grandfather "Opa" and grandmother "Oma" to 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. They also are survived by many nieces and nephews.
They were preceded in death by Bob's parents, Minnie and Arnold Duensing, and a sister, Eleanor; Becky's parents, Miles and Florence Bartley; a sister, Clarabell Clark, brothers Phillip Bartley and Donald Bartley; their daughter, Sharon Marks; sons Robert A. Duensing and Michael W. Duensing; and a grandson, Jacob Petersen.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 18, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin, with burial at the Algonquin Cemetery on Cary-Algonquin Road, Algonquin, and a luncheon at the church afterward.
In lieu of flowers, their wishes are that donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.