Duane L. June

Duane L. June, age 88, of Kenosha lost his short battle with the Covid virus on July 30, 2020, surrounded by the love of his family. A frequent comment made to his physician after every routine medical check up was “I’m as healthy as a horse, they just can’t find a saddle to fit me.”  And for an 88 year old, this was very true up until less than 2 weeks before his death.

  Duane was born in Holmen, WI on the family farm on October 7, 1931 to the late George and Mildred (Brown) June.  He grew up in the Holmen, Sparta and LaCrosse areas and was educated in the schools of western Wisconsin.  On May 19, 1972, he married Barbara Ellen Manske (nee Kerr) in Waukegan, Illinois and they were together for 48 years.  After completing high school, he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served from February 1950 to 1953, seeing many ports around the world.  Duane came to Kenosha from the Sparta/Holmen area in the 1960’s and began working for AMC.  He left there and then worked for a time in transportation/shipping and receiving at Johns-Manville in Waukegan.  He returned to AMC in the 1970’s and retired from Chrysler in 1988 upon the plants’ closing.  In 1994, he and his wife Barbara returned to LaCrosse until relocating back to Kenosha in 2015 to be closer to family.  Duane was happiest around people and when he was able to make them smile by telling one of his silly jokes.  He believed that if he could make at least one person smile each day, he would add another year to his life.  And living until 88, he must have made a lot of people smile.  Duane loved spending time with family, deer hunting into his 80’s with his brother Douglas and nephew Floyd, fishing, camping, traveling to historic sites, dancing, antiquing and frequenting auctions and estate sales with his wife, Barbara.  Duane loved all wildlife and nature, especially deer, ducks, birds, and squirrels.  Duane also loved gardening and was able to maintain a large garden and the ¾ acre property he shared with his wife in LaCrosse until he was 82 years old.  His grandchildren couldn’t wait for a visit from Grandma and Grandpa June, knowing Grandpa would be bringing jars of his famous “Grandpa’s pickles.”    After giving up the yard and garden he kept busy by feeding the birds and squirrels, and doing sudoku, word search and jigsaw puzzles.  He enjoyed eating out with family at some of his favorite places and waiting for the people from Publisher’s Clearing House to knock on his door to deliver the check he was certain that he had won.  Duane was a member of the LaCrosse area VFW and local UAW 72 and played on many local pool leagues in his younger years.

Duane leaves behind his wife Barbara of 48 years, his children Laura (Dave) Manske, Steve (Heidi) Manske, Mark (Pam) Manske, and Kari (Dan) Manske-First: all of Kenosha.  Grandchildren, Michael (Kelli) Manske, Matthew (Sam) Manske, Melissa (Dakota) Manske, Mitchel Manske, Melanie (Andy) Manske, Ryan (Stephanie) Manske, Brandon Manske, Jessica (Wes) First, Jaime First, Cassie (Rob) Flora, Jessica (Pat) Commodore, Derek Dawson and Tera Neu, 12 great-grandchildren with one on the way and many nieces and nephews.

  Duane was preceded in death by his daughter, Vicki Dawson and granddaughters Mallory Manske and Alice June.  Duane was the last surviving member of a family of 9 siblings – brothers Stanley, Forrest, Douglas, George, Clyde and Richard and sisters Yvonne McDonald and Loela Crittenden.

  The family would like to express extreme appreciation and love to his special angel and caregiver, Kris Manske, who he considered a part of the family and also the caring staff on 2 Palmer at Kenosha Hospital during his last deays; especially Sarah G., RN and Tia, RN.

  Rest in peace, Duane.  We hope you’re finer that a frog hair split 3 ways.

     A memorial service for Duane will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at the Woman’s Club of Kenosha (6028 – 8th Avenue) with full military honors to follow. A visitation with the family will be held at the Woman’s Club on Thursday from 5:00 P.M. until the time of service.

Thoughts for Duane L. June;

  • Bill June says:

    Thanks uncle Duane, for the many hair cuts you gave Dad and I back in the 1960’s. I really wanted to see you make 100, like you always stated. Bill June

      • Mark A June says:

        Thought pretty inconsiderate that you didn’t give his only biological son the opportunity to attend HIS father’s funeral and pay his respect , and make amends.

        Contrary to the Manske family beliefs , I LOVED AND MISSED MY FATHER MY ENTIRE LIFE AND WISHED FOR THE BOND A FATHER AND SON SHOULD’VE HAD.

        REST IN PEACE DAD…
        I WILL THINK.OF YOU OFTEN

  • Jessica Commodore says:

    I love you Grandpa! I wish we were able to have more of a relationship. I’ll always cherish the book you made all of us kids about our family and you growing up. Fly high and say hi to mom for me. Much love, your granddaughter Jessica in Virginia Beach, Virginia ?❤

  • Floyd June says:

    Thanks Duane!!!! You not only were my Uncle, but a friend and companion, a mentor to my younger days at AMC and beyond. I’ll miss your jokes, the good times and hunts we had together. God Bless, you’re home with your family under God’s grace and care. I’ll miss you indefinitely.

    Nephew Floyd June

    • Kari First says:

      Thanks Floyd, Duane spoke of you often, your visits were extra special to both him and my mom, it was nice to hear from afar your memories you both shared, cherish them.

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