DUANE EDWARD WILKE

Our hearts are filled with extreme sorrow as we announce the passing of Duane Edward Wilke, 93. Duane was a loving son, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandpa, great-grandpa, and friend. Duane passed away peacefully in Cedar City, Utah, on July 23, 2026 surrounded by family. Duane was born in the small town of Alexander, North Dakota, on May 19, 1933 to Adam and Alice (Rhoades) Wilke. "Shorty", as he was known by family and friends, was the ninth of thirteen children born into a large and loving family. Duane's family moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in 1936 where his family lived in Paradise Valley on the outskirts of town. He spent his early school years in a one room school house with many of his siblings. Duane attended Bonners Ferry High School where he graduated in 1951. Following his brother's lead, he enlisted with the United States Army. Duane was sent to paratrooper school to train with the 187th Airborne in Fort Benning, Georgia. He was deployed to Japan from Fort Lee, Virginia, during the Korean War where he served for three years with courage, dedication and an unwavering love of his country. After returning to civilian life, Duane enrolled at the University of Idaho in Moscow, where he was an active member of Delta Chi Fraternity. While he was working on his degree in Biology, he met Irene Bratton. Duane and Irene married several years later, on August 17,1957 in Wallace, Idaho. After graduating from the U of I he accepted a teaching job in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1960. Once again, following his brother's lead, he moved his growing family to Henderson, Nevada, in 1961. Duane taught Science at Henderson Jr. High and then moved to Burkholder Middle School where he taught Science and Physical Education. During his teaching career, Duane coached varsity baseball at Basic HS, girls' softball at Burkholder MS, and Little League baseball. Duane also was an advisor for many clubs and ran a tax business during tax season. He obtained his Masters in Education with a minor in School Administration in June 1967. After Irene's passing in 1980, Duane married Marie Davis Huntsman in October of 1984. After teaching for over 30 years, Duane retired from Brown Middle School and Duane and Marie moved to Hayden Lake, Idaho, where they lived for many years before moving to Cedar City, Utah. Duane was a phenomenal athlete and enjoyed, participated in, and watched all types of sports. He was an amazing golfer, hit a hole in one, golfed his age at 75, had never been beaten in an arm-wrestling match and even sunk a half-court shot in basketball while a cheering crowd erupted in amazement. A coaching friend once called him "The Greatest Athlete" he had ever known. Duane's utmost joy was spending as much time as he could with Marie, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved gardening, and spending time in the outdoors; hunting, fishing, boating, camping, and travelling with Marie. Duane was an avid reader with a particular love of westerns. He kept his mind top notch by working on daily crosswords and puzzles. A life long Dodgers fan, he listened to Vin Scully on a transistor radio while watching the game on the TV at the same time in the early days. He spent many hours in his "Man Cave" watching the Dodgers, golf, and college basketball, while always keeping up on current events. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Alice Wilke, his wife of 23 years, Irene (Bratton) Wilke, sisters: Janice, Shirley, Sharon, Joyce, Lois, Carol and Janet, brothers; Dale and Dean, granddaughter, Stephanie Huntsman, and great-grandson, Jacob Reuben. Duane is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marie (Davis Huntsman) Wilke of Cedar City, Utah, brothers; Ray Wilke, Henderson, Nevada, Roger Wilke, Wilmington, Delaware, sister Joanne Kuchery, Coeur d' Alene, daughters; Rhonda (Derek) Lamboo, Las Vegas, Nevada, Darcy (Jeff) Serrano, Henderson, Nevada, and son; Reid (Courtney) Wilke, Henderson, sons; Richard (Alice) Huntsman, Las Vegas, Nevada, Gregory (Lisa) Huntsman, Las Vegas, Nevada, Michael (Kelli) Huntsman, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Mark (Jane) Huntsman, Henderson, Nevada. Duane is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and friends. Duane was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, and all whose lives he touched. His kindness, wisdom, gentle spirit, and unwavering love of family left a lasting impression on all that knew him. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy will live on in the hearts who were blessed to know him. A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Kanarraville Cemetery (695 Center Street, Kanarraville, Utah 84742), under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. A viewing will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 North 300 West, Cedar City, 84720). A gathering will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (80 South Main Street, Kanarraville, Utah) immediately following the graveside services. Online condolences may be sent at www.mortuary.org.