Duane "Curly" Allen Duenkel, Sr.

Duane Allen “Curly” Duenkel, age 77 years, of West Bend was called home to be with the Lord on December 27, 2023 at Froedtert West Bend Hospital surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Curly was born on December 21, 1946 in West Bend to Earl and Ruth Duenkel (Balthazor). He was united in marriage to Marion Ferencevich on December 12, 1970 at St. Mary’s in Barton.

Curly graduated from West Bend High School. He was a dedicated Press Set Up Operator at Wesbar Corp and later Matenaer Corp. Curly proudly served in the United States Army from February 1966 – February 1968. He was an avid fisherman and was always on the search for Walleye and Pan Fish. Curly was the most loving husband, father, and grandfather, who always had time for his family and friends.

Those Curly leaves behind to cherish his memory include his son, Duane (Susan) Duenkel, Jr.; granddaughter, Kayla Duenkel; brother, William (Linda) Duenkel; sister, Ruth Washington; and brother-in-law, Edwin Kotlewski.

He is further survived by nieces & nephews, LeAnn Megonigle, Dawn (Jim) Hill, Cindy (Jeff) Metz, Terri Megonigle, Marla (Dan) Race, Kristin (Devin) Finke, Joseph (Jennifer) Ferencevich, Jr., Andy (Jennifer) Ferencevich, William Ferencevich, Mark Ferencevich, Jr., Michael (Kelly) Ferencevich, Matthew Ferencevich, Kathy (Tom) Zehren, Helen Ferencevich, Mitchell (Melissa) Ferencevich, Marge Lesch, Bob (Terri) Gessner, Teresa (Tom) Fullerton, Laura (Stacey) Workowski, John (fiancée Jennifer Wiese) Duenkel, Charlie Duenkel, Joseph (Erica) Janicki, Erv Janicki; and great-nieces and great-nephews, other relatives and friends. Curly was also the adopted pet parent for the neighborhood dogs.

In addition to his parents, Curly was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Marion ; infant twin daughters; and infant brother, Earl Frederick Duenkel; as well as Marion’s infant twin daughters, Annette and Rose; infant brother, Joe Ferencevich, Jr.; brothers, Mark (Barbara) Ferencevich and Joe (Marlene) Ferencevich; sister, Barbara Kotlewski; brothers-in-law, Tony Janicki and Tom Washington; and nephew, Shane Megonigle.

VISITATION: Curly’s family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, January 5, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. at Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service (1315 W Washington St., West Bend, WI - 53095).

SERVICE: A Memorial Service in remembrance of Curly will take place at the funeral home on Friday at 6:00 p.m.

Inurnment will take place at Washington County Memorial Park in West Bend at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Curly’s name can be directed to the Cancer Center at Froedtert West Bend or a charity of your choosing.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mooney and the staff at the Cancer Center at Froedtert West Bend, and the doctors, nurses and staff at Froedtert West Bend Hospital for their care and compassion.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Curly’s arrangements. Please consider signing our online tribute wall (www.myrhum-patten.com) to share your condolences with the family.