Duane Leroy Hegna
Duane Leroy Hegna , Age 91
Duane Leroy Hegna, age 91, passed away on January 2, 2026, at Meadowview Memory Care in Baraboo following a brief illness.
Duane was born on October 23, 1934, to Elmer and Frances Hegna, of Cameron. Duane was raised on a dairy and hog farm and graduated from Cameron High School proudly claiming the titles of Prom King, Basketball Team Captain, Baseball Team Captain and "Turk" the trumpet player.
While serving as an usher at a cousin's wedding, an attractive young lady caught his eye. One whom he even dared to pinch when seating. That lady, Carol Jean Nelson of Barron, was later to become his cherished wife of 70 years celebrated this past year.
Duane and Jean moved to Baraboo in 1960 and managed a new dairy farm in town owned by Baraboo industrialist, Norman Sauey, Heatherstone Enterprises. By the mid 60's they purchased the operation from Sauey and spent the next 25 years building a world renown genetic herd of registered Holsteins and keeping a meticulously maintained farmstead at the foothills of the Baraboo Bluffs and Devils Lake State Park. The farm has long been admired by passersby and fellow dairymen.
Upon retirement, Duane and Jean enjoyed spending winter months at the Voyageur Resort in Tucson, AZ. The snowbirds were blessed by the friendship of several couples who also made the annual trip south. Those memories made were the fondest.
Duane was active in various community, state and national organizations and enjoyed being an active volunteer at any event. He was a 4-H Dairy Project Leader, WI Holstein Association Board of Director, WI Forage Council Board of Director, National Holstein Association Member & Delegate, Baraboo Elks and Lions Club Member, Red Cross Blood Drive and World Dairy Expo volunteer. In 1985, Duane and Carol Jean received the Wisconsin Master Agriculturist Award and the Wisconsin Outstanding Holstein Breeder Award. Heatherstone Farm served as host of the first Sauk Co. June Dairy Month Breakfast, and Duane continued to serve on the breakfast planning committee through 2025. He was also a lifetime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Baraboo, serving on the church council and singing in the choir in earlier years.
Duane is survived by his wife, Carol Jean; his daughter, Valerie (Mike) Holschbach, Baraboo; grandchildren, Brienne (Clay) Carlson, Verona, Chase Holschbach, Baraboo, and Dr. Chelsea Holschbach, Fitchburg; three great grandchildren, Mason, Elin, and Isla Carlson and sister-in-law, Sharlot Nelson, Barron. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Beverly Norwick, and his brother-in-law, Charles Nelson.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Baraboo with Pastor Donald Glanzer officating. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be private.
The family would like to thank the staff at Meadow View Memory Care and Agrace Hospice for their precious and tender loving care of dad.
Memorials may be made in Duane's honor to Lions Club International, Sauk Co. Fair Society or St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Condolences
Keith @ Dawn Stump January 03, 2026
Friends DePere , Wisconsin
Condolences to Duane’s family. We have great memories of him and all of you..
Kay Thiessen Cummins January 03, 2026
Friend Phoenix , Arizona
Valerie and family - your Dad was always so cheerful and happy to help. I remember your parents and of course you from childhood and 4-H. He will be remembered fondly.
Terry Spencer January 03, 2026
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Sorry to hear of Duane’s passing. My sincerest condolences to the family.
Mary Moffit January 03, 2026
Long time friend Leesburg , Florida
Valerie, I’m so very, very sorry for the loss of your Father. He ment a lot to us as well as my parents. He was a very kind, generous and funny man and will be greatly missed. Thinking of you and your family at this time.
Sharon Maffei January 04, 2026
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Always enjoyed Duane's visits to the WHA office. Sympathy and prayers to all of you on the passing of such a nice man.
Dave & Joyce Williams January 04, 2026
Family friends Oregon , Wisconsin
Val, Mike, Brienne and Family, We got to know Duane through gatherings where ha was always do friendly and talkative :) We last saw him in Verona at Clay & Brienne's home where he was his usual happy self despite being in his upper 80s. We know he will be a welcome addition to Heaven and keep up all the good things he graced our earth with. Dave & Joyce
Mike & Lori Hegna January 04, 2026
Cousin Cameron , Wisconsin
Very sorry, prayers for family Godspeed Duane
Dave krunnfusz January 04, 2026
Employee Naperville , Illinois
I’m sorry for your loss … I remember baling hay on the farm 55 or more years ago. It was hot in the loft.he was a good man.
Judy Clark-Mente (Gaffney) January 04, 2026
Neighbor/Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Jean, Valerie and family, So sorry to hear of Duane's passing. My prayers are with all of you. Rest in peace. Judy
Dennis and Penny Quandt January 04, 2026
Friend Lake Mills , Wisconsin
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the Family.Val and other girls shopped at Maurice’s and we always had a great time with them.Jean I got to know from Pierce’s
Ann, Jeff, Hannah Vogtschaller January 05, 2026
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Our condolences to the family.
Glen Weirauch January 07, 2026
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Duane was my sponsor when I joined the Baraboo Lions club. Always greeted me with a smile at church. Back in the day showed me with pride where he stored all of his Christmas lights. It was the best Christmas display in the area!! I will miss my friend Duane and to his family my heart is heavy, so sorry for your loss.
Roy Thieding January 09, 2026
Friend Colwich , Kansas
Sorry to hear of your loss. May God Bless family in this time of sorrow and sadness.
Marie Bryan January 10, 2026
Friend Kanarraville , Utah
I’m Roy Thieding’s first wife. When I was still farming in Wisconsin, I had many fond memories of the spectacular example that your lives showed to all of us involved with agriculture on so many levels. Duane demonstrated a life well lived.