Duane Baltz

Duane Baltz, 73, of the Town of Rib Mountain passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born June 21, 1942 in Wausau to the late Emil and Agnes (Meyer) Balz. Duane was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the U.S. Navy. As a young man, he played trumpet and accompanied his Dad in the Balz Boys polka band. In his earlier years, he and his former spouse, Henrietta lived on their Town of Berlin farm. Duane raised beef cattle and enjoyed vegetable gardening. He along with his brother, Donald owned Baltz Well Drilling. Duane was proud to have been able to donate his services in drilling the first well for St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, Naugart, where he had been a member. Duane was an avid fisherman and always looked forward fishing for Walleye, Brook Trout and anything that bit under the ice. He loved being outdoors and could either be found bow hunting for deer or Partridge hunting.
Survivors include his children, Tracy and Chad of Wausau, Henrietta of Wausau and six siblings, Robert (Mary) Balz of Wausau, Carol Gruening of Wausau, Vernelle Carazalla of Wausau, Beverly (Melvin) Gruening of Rothschild, Donald (Janet) Baltz of Merrill, and Kenneth (Betty) Baltz of Lake Tomahawk. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Duane Jr.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Reverend David Faulkner will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Duane's name may be directed to the Lincoln County Humane Society, 200 N. Memorial Drive, Merrill, 54452.