Duane T Kexel

LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

Duane's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on "Watch Now."

MADISON - Duane Thomas Kexel, age 82, of Madison, Wis., passed away peacefully on February 1, 2026.

Duane was born on November 2, 1943, in Madison, Wis., to Ann (Powers) Kexel and Theodore Kexel. He grew up in Elkhorn, Wis., with his parents and five sisters: Mary Ellen, Donna, Rita, Phyllis and Patricia. Duane earned an A.B. in mathematics from John Carroll University and enrolled in the economics Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he met his wife, Jo Ann (Robison) Kexel. They were married in Madison on October 19, 1968, and traveled to New Orleans, La., for their honeymoon.

Duane began his career as an assistant professor of economics at Grinnell College in 1969. He later excelled in economic consulting at Stanley Consultants in Muscatine, Iowa and Power Systems Engineering in Madison, Wis. Duane advised the World Bank and as part of his consulting work traveled to over 20 countries including China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Malaysia, Oman, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Turkey and Vietnam. He was passionate about his work and the opportunities to promote renewable energy and carbon reduction.

Duane was known for his keen sense of humor and enjoyed woodworking and listening to classical and Irish music as well as German beer drinking songs. He regularly cheered on Wisconsin sports teams, especially the Green Bay Packers. Duane and Jo Ann also sang in the choir at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and once performed with this group at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Duane was a devoted parent and encouraged his daughters and granddaughters to excel in academics. He logged many hours supporting them in a variety of sporting events including tennis, horseback riding, soccer and basketball. Duane also loved spending time with his family in Door County, Wis., where everyone enjoyed hiking, biking, kayaking, and attending performances at the Northern Sky Theater in Peninsula State Park. In his retirement, Duane traveled to Ireland, Austria, China, France, and Sweden with Jo Ann and spearheaded solar improvements for the Cottage Glen community center in Door County.  

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Ann and Theodore Kexel; sisters, Mary Ellen Morrissey, Donna Cain Horton and Rita Tubbs; and brothers-in-law, William Morrissey, Alton Cain, Robert Horton, Tom Tubbs and Tom Herman. He is survived by his loving family and wife of 57 years, Jo Ann Kexel; sisters, Phyllis Kerschner (Bill Kerschner) and Patricia Kexel; sister-in-law, Mary Garrigan (James Garrigan); daughters, Christine Kexel Chabot (Benjamin Chabot) and Elizabeth Kexel Krantz (Aaron Krantz); and granddaughters, Anna and Madeleine Chabot. Duane is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, with Father Lawrence Oparaji presiding. Family and friends who wish to view the LIVESTREAM may visit Duane’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the Mass and click on “Watch Now” in the Webcast section. A graveside service will follow at RESURRECTION CEMETERY, 2705 Regent St., Madison, at 12:30 p.m. A luncheon will be served at the church after the burial. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either the UW Carbone Cancer Center (wiscmedicine.org/cancer) or the Climate Change Coalition of Door County (climatechangedoorcounty.org/donate).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761