Duane E. Padden
April 18, 1933 - January 14, 2016
Obituary
MADISON-Duane E. Padden, age 82, of Madison, (formerly of La Crosse), passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. He was born on April 18, 1933, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Leslie and Myrle Padden. Duane served in the Korean War as a member of the United States Army from 1950 through 1953. He was awarded a Korean Service Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. Duane earned his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from Purdue University, leading to a 31 year career with Trane Company, La Crosse. He married the love of his life, Judith Ann Johnson, on August 25, 1956. They had four children, two grandchildren and were very active in their church. Duane was an avid fisherman, baseball fan (Cubs, then Brewers), model train aficionado and a member of the Sports Car Club of La Crosse. He enjoyed spending time with family, camping and bird watching while visiting State Parks throughout Wisconsin. Duane had a great love of music and had an exceptional singing voice. He sang with the church choir and was a Barbershop enthusiast. Duane was a member of the Coulee Chordsmen and served as president for several years. Enjoying the tag name of "Bass Man," he sang bass in a barbershop quartet when his kids were young and again during his later years and into retirement. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Padden; son, John Padden (Faith Hirdler); daughters, Nancy Padden Venuta (Vinny Venuta), Diane Padden (Neil Chandler), Jenny Padden (Jim Sterk); grandson, Joe Venuta; and granddaughter, Sara Sterk. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Donna. Duane passed peacefully sitting in his favorite chair with a good book and a glass of sherry. A memorial service is planned at GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, immediately followed by a reception (or as they say in Barbershop lingo 'The After Glow') at the same location. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lutheran Church of Living Christ, 110 N. Gammon Rd., Madison, WI 53717.Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608)442-5002
Events
Service
Sat Jan 23, 2016 @ 3:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Fitchburg • 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Photos
Memories
NV
Nancy Padden Venuta
Other •
Duane Padden
MK
Melanie Karoff
Other •
Dear John and Faith, i"m so sorry to hear about your dad. Sending peace and comfort to you during this difficult time.
Love Melanie and Al
RW
Rob Wessler
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Greetings Judy and all the family. It has been a long time since I have connected with any of you. This is a good time to praise the Lord for a really special guy, knowing that Duane is in the best of hands at this moment and forever. Hallelujah!
Rob Wessler
BM
Bob Maier
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To the entire Padden family, Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you at this sorrowful time.Duane will be greatly missed by all of us here in Lacrosse. Bob and Karen Maier.
JS
John Staut
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Dear Family of Duane. I was saddened to learn of Duane's passing this past week. Duane was a true friend, a former Trane work associate (we shared a cubical wall), and most significantly, a fellow barbershopper with the LaCrosse Coulee Chordsmen. Within that singing group we formed two quartets, the "Barreltones" and many years later "Vintage Plus", Duane being Mr. "Bass Man". I'm sure by this time he has joined the Choral Barbershop Group and is joyfully singing with a heavenly quartet. Please accept my sincere condolences.
PS
Pete Sherry
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I sang with Duane in quartet , Vintage Plus, back in thle 90's. Duane was the Bass Man and I sang Tenor. We were members of the Coulee Chordsmen Chorus in La Crosse, WI.We sang on shows, churches, Valentines Day visits and parties. Quartet singing was the high-light of my Barbershop singing.This was made better by such a fine person as Duane to be part of it.
Blessed be his memoryl.
Pete Sherry -Tenor Vintage plus.