DuWayne W. Statz

1948 - 2015

Statz, DuWayne W. March 1, 1948 January 9, 2015 DuWayne William Statz, 66, of Madison, passed away Friday, January 9, 2015 peacefully and unexpectedly at his home from heart disease. Visitation will initially be held Tuesday, January 13 from 4PM-7PM at Winn-Cress Funeral Home 5785 Hwy Q in Waunakee, WI. Funeral services will be held Wednesday January 14, 2015 at 11AM at St. John's Church 209 South St in Waunakee, WI with prior visitation starting at 10AM. DuWayne was born in Madison, WI on March 1, 1948 to William Statz and Ann Statz. He grew up in Waunakee and attended Waunakee High School. He received a bachelor's of science degree in organic chemistry from the University of Wisconsin Madison, and he worked as an oncologic chemist for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF-- later Hazelton Laboratories) for 15 years, heading a lab that developed compounds to fight cancer. Spurred by a love of and fascination with the stock market, he went on to work as a senior investment advisor for Robert W. Baird and company for over 30 years, where he was known and respected for his care and careful planning for his clients and deep passion for his work. As devoted as he was to work, DuWayne's greatest love in life was family. He maintained strong lifelong ties to his siblings, was a devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandpa to eight lucky kids with whom he spent quality time as often as he could. He was an active member of the Waunakee Rotary and was instrumental in fundraising for the new St John's church and the endowment fund for the St. John's School. In his spare time when he wasn't fishing or picking apples with his grandkids he enjoyed collecting coins and reading about developments in science. The family was fortunate enough to spend this past Christmas all together. His kind and gentle affect, inspiring optimism, and abiding work ethic and loyalty will be missed. He was preceded in death by his parents William Statz and Ann Statz. He is survived by his first wife, Kris Knight; spouse, Roberta Valle-Statz; siblings Margie (Lincoln R) Borgrud, Patricia (Tom) Endres, Mary Beth (Richard) Hellenbrand, and Jayne (Jan) Friedlander; children Gretchen Statz-Johnson (Tony Johnson), Ben Statz (Katy Lederer), Ticia Valle (Jason Mendler) and Binty Valle; and his grandchildren Connor, Caleb, Ava, Megan, Grayson, Gloria, Isaac and Zoe. Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com Winn-Cress Funeral Home 5785 Hwy Q Waunakee, WI 608-849-4513