Duwayne Elden Stevens Obituary (1926 - 2006)

DuWayne E. Stevens, age 80, of Wheeler, WI died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. DuWayne Elden Stevens was born April 24, 1926 in Barron, WI to Paul and Agnes (Moen) Stevens. He was raised in the Barron area and graduated from Colfax High School. DuWayne served in the U.S. Navy during W.W. II from 1944 to 1946. He was a Boatswain's Mate Second class on the U.S.S. Sarita AKA 39 in the Pacific Theater. After his military service, he moved to Illinois where he graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) with a degree in Electronic Engineering. While in school, he met his future wife Irmgard Methner. They were married on June 28, 1951 in Chicago, IL and DuWayne adopted Irmgard's two children. DuWayne worked at Stewart Warner and then for Bell & Howell for 32 years as an Electronic Engineer, retiring to the family farm near Wheeler in 1985. DuWayne and Irmgard were members of the Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Morton Grove, IL, for 32 years. Since moving back to the Wheeler area, they've been members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Menomonie. For the past eight years, DuWayne also produced and narrated devotionals for the radio program "Voice of Salvation" that was played on various radio stations in Wisconsin. DuWayne is survived by: His wife, Irmgard of Wheeler, WI One daughter and two sons Jean (Carleton) Richter of Princeton, WI Richard (Judy) Stevens of Wheeler, WI Robert (Linda) Stevens of Morton Grove, IL 15 grandchildren 17 great-grandchildren Two sisters and one brother Aline (Ted) Jurecki of Chetek, WI Donna Tryggestad of Tomah, WI Donald (Joann) Stevens of St. David, AZ And other relatives and friends He is preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Menomonie with Reverend Steve Schmeling officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors by the Menomonie Veteran's Honor Guard. Family and friends are welcome from 4-8 PM Friday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to support the radio program "Voice of Salvation" which can be given through St. Paul's Lutheran Church.