Duane ‘Tank’ Veenendaal, age 69, of Woodville, Wisconsin, died Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Park View Home in Woodville.
Duane was born July 16, 1955, to Louis and Myrtle (West) Veenendaal in Baldwin, Wisconsin. He grew up in Baldwin and attended Baldwin-Woodville School, graduating with the Class of 73. After school, he continued his education at WITC in Rice Lake and studied auto mechanics. He worked for Zillman Chevrolet and Donaldsons in Baldwin before starting his career with St. Croix County Highway Department.
On June 28, 1975, Duane married Judy Nelson at Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Ryan, Abby, and Leah.
He was an active member of Zion and served on the church council, worship and music committee, property committee, and was a member of Zion’s choir and bell choir.
Duane loved playing, watching and coaching sports. He was an avid Badgers, Packers, and Brewers fan. He played football in high school and enjoyed a number of years coaching the Baldwin-Woodville Blackhawk Football Team. He was proud to have been on the coaching staff when the Hawks won a state championship in 1992 and were runners-up in 1994.
His family was most important to him, and he loved spending time with them and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He also enjoyed tinkering around the garage and yard, taking road trips, relaxing by the water, watching Gunsmoke, and listening to music. Duane was a kind and caring man that was willing to drop everything to help anyone out. He had a great sense of humor and always had a witty remark to share.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers Lowell (Jeanne) and Jon; and brothers-in-law Jim Birdsong and Jim Sandfort.
Survivors include his wife, Judy; son Ryan (Meghan) Veenendaal; daughters Abby (Logan) Kimberly, and Leah (Dan) Ramos; grandchildren: Trenton, Dawson, and Landon Veenendaal, Merritt and Ferran Miller, Gavin and Reese Kimberly, Elliana and Iyla Ramos; sisters-in-law Sandy Veenendaal, JoAnn Birdsong, Margie Sandfort, and brother-in-law Bob (Terry) Nelson, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
A Memorial service for Duane will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville.
Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, at Zion Lutheran Church and also for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday.
Burial will be at Lone Pine Cemetery, Woodville.
Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church, Park View Home, or Adoray Hospice.
Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley handled arrangements.
