Duane E. Wegerer

Duane E. Wegerer, 82, of Burlington died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at Bickford of Burlington Assisted Living.

Born April 2, 1942, in Nashville, Kansas, he was the son of Matt and Madalene Wegerer. On Aug. 4, 1973, in Lewistown, Illinois, he married Karen Keeler. She preceded him in death on April 16, 2021.

Duane was a graduate of Cunningham High School in Cunningham, Kansas. After high school, Duane received his Associate of Arts degree from Pratt Junior College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University, and a Master's Degree in Engineering Administration from Bradley University.

In July 1965, he went to work for International Harvester in Canton, Illinois, and transferred to International Harvester in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1983. In 1985, he went to work for J.I. Case in Burlington, where he retired from after 37 years in 2002.

He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Knights of Columbus Third Degree, board member for Des Moines County Red Cross and volunteered for the American Cancer Society and the Paint-A-Thon.

Duane was a handyman and could repair and build just about anything.

He was very talented in woodworking building furniture, doll cradles, step stools, monster trucks, rocking horses, doll houses, doll furniture and toy cars, trucks and farm equipment. He built cardboard creations for the Cotillion Club and Steamboat Days Parades.

Duane always enjoyed working on new projects, even mastering the craft of quilting by hand and using a sewing machine. Most of all Duane loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his two children, Erick (Jennifer) Wegerer of Vancouver, Washington, and Kimberly (Kevin) Klein of Danville; four grandchildren, Connor, Adrienne and Alex Wegerer and Kaleb Klein; three siblings, Vernon (Loma) Wegerer of Moline, Illinois, Gary (Diana) Wegerer of Cunningham, Kansas, and Vivian Hensiek of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Karen, and brother in-law Duane Hensiek.

Per his wishes, cremation has been entrusted and accorded to the care of Lunning Chapel.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Lunning Chapel with Father Dominic Nguyen officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his memory for Divine Mercy Parish.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com.