Leo Duchatschek

Leo "Duke" Duchatschek

Leo Duchatschek, age 95, loving husband, father, and grandfather passed to his Eternal reward on July 31, 2013 at his home. Leo was born on September 27, 1917 to the late Rupert and Maria (Wolkersdorfer) Duchatschek. He married Gertrude Heinzl on August 29, 1940 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Leo and Gertrude were happily married for 63 years before she preceded him in death on February 14, 2003. After her death he made his home with his son John ( Cindy).

Leo started working at the age of 14 at Buckstaff, and then moved on to Wisconsin Axle (Rockwell) where he retired at age of 57. One of Leo's goals in life was to be retired more years than he worked at the Axle. Congratulations, Grandpa Duke you made it! Leo served in the United States Army during World War II. Leo loved to play cribbage, horseshoes, and did wood working; he also enjoyed going fishing and deer hunting. Leo was a man who could fix anything with wood putty, duck tape, or super glue and a little brown paint.

Leo will be forever missed by his three sons: Leon (Cynthia) Duchatschek, Forest Lake, MN; Daniel (Sandra) Duchatschek, and John (Cindy) Duchatschek both of Oshkosh, two daughters Mary Ellen (Richard) Wuest, Oshkosh, and Lauren (Jerry) Prellwitz, Green Bay, one brother-in-law Jack (Sandra) Heinzl, Green Bay, 11 grandchildren, Daryl (Darcy), Mason (Melissa), Carson (Jill), Bruce (Jenni), Brian (Melissa), Travis (Becky) Duchatschek, Jason (Kristina), and Joel (Holly) Prellwitz, Mark (Dani) Wuest and Amy and special friend (Brian) Wuest and Nicole (Matt) LaCroix. Leo is further survived by 27 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Leo was preceded in death by his soul mate, Gertrude, his parents Rupert and Maria, brother Joe, sisters Margaret and Eleonora, stepmother Emma, stepsister Joyce, sisters-in-law Dorothy (Jack) Frank, and Jeanette Heinzl, brother-in-law Ralph (Bernice) Heinzl and one grandson, Scott Duchatschek.

Funeral Services for Leo will be held on Tuesday, August 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Fiss & Bills Poklasny Funeral Home Westhaven, with Rev. William Van DeKreeke officiating. Family and Friends may call from 5 p.m. until the hour of service. Burial will be Wednesday, August 7, 10 a.m., at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Theda Care Hospice, and extend a heart felt thank you to his nurse Noonie, for all the love and support she has given to Leo and his family.

We would like to give a special thank you to Cindy, Nicole and Becky for all of the special care given to him.

As we reminisce about the past we find ourselves wondering, did we remember to thank you enough for all the times you were there for us to help out, and support us, to celebrate our successes, embrace our needs, accept our defeats; teaching us by example, the value of hard work and good judgment, courage, and integrity. We wonder if we ever thanked you for the sacrifices you made so we could have the very best. For the simple things, like laughter, smiles, times shared, and gratitude for all you did for us, and taught us.

We thank you now, and hope you knew all along, how much you meant to us. We are so lucky to have had you as our dad. Our love for you will live on. Our memories will be our keepsakes…thinking of you with all our love.

We all love you and will miss you Grandpa Duke.