April 14, 2021 at 5:05 p.m.
Duane Edward LaCrosse
Duane Edward LaCrosse
Duane graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1950 where he was a four-sport varsity athlete playing football, basketball, baseball and golf. In 1949 he received all-conference honors as a quarterback. In 1950 he captained the Hodag varsity basketball team to Wisconsin state high school basketball tournament. In his later years Duane was an active golfer and scored a hole-in-one during a Bar Association golf tournament in Norristown, Pennsylvania. The group behind them happened to be four Philadelphia Phillies "Hall of Famers" that witnessed the hole-in-one and signed his scorecard.
In 1952 Duane enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Madison and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Accounting and Insurance. In 1954 Duane married Beverly Jean Armfield, also of Rhinelander. In 1956 LaCrosse began active duty in the U.S. Army ROTC program based in Fort Monmouth New Jersey. He was discharged in 1965 acquiring a rank of First Lieutenant.
Following his Army service, Duane began a career in the insurance industry as a claims representative for Hardware Mutual (now Sentry Insurance). He later joined Wausau Insurance, and worked in the Pittsburgh office and then Philadelphia for 14 years. He then finished his 37-year career at the Wausau Insurance headquarters in Wausau from 1977 until his retirement in 1995. During his working career Duane enjoyed playing golf and softball in the Wausau Insurance men's league.
Duane was an active church member serving the congregation of The First United Methodist church of Wausau. He was an usher and served on many committees including the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation where he was a member of the board of directors. He was also a member of the finance committee and spent many hours caring for the lawn and gardens surrounding the church grounds.
During his retirement years he avidly followed his beloved Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers. He also rarely missed any major golf tournament on television. Much time was spent working in the yard taking care of the lawn and gardens. Duane deeply enjoyed spending time with his family. Outings were special times spent with his five children, seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Duane is survived by his wife Beverly (Armfield) LaCrosse, his daughters Lorie (Steven) Dillon and Sheryl (Kirk) Zack, his sons Randall, Mark and Bruce, his seven grandchildren, Steven, Scott, Kimberly, Kristine, Elizabeth, Collete and Colson, 13 great-grandchildren and his sister Jean Kaphingst. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Allan and Gary.
You may leave your private condolences for the LaCrosse family at www.carlsonfh.com. A private family service will be held with burial following at Forest Home Cemetery in Rhinelander. The Carlson Funeral Home in Rhinelander (715-369-1414) is serving the LaCrosse family.
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