Duane Wurzer, age 82, of Ft. Collins, Colorado and formerly of Willey, died Friday, April 21, 2023, at Poudre Valley Hospital in Ft. Collins, Colorado.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 12, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willey. The Celebrant will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Music will be by Jane Heithoff and the St. Mary’s Choir. Lector and Eucharistic Minister will be Mary Schreck. Gift Bearers will be Quinn Wurzer, Kara Wurzer, Molly Walt, Maggie Kasunic, Liam Wurzer, Sully Wurzer, Finn Wurzer, Sofia Wurzer, Stella Wurzer, and Sawyer Wurzer. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Louis Haverman, Virgil Tigges, Gary Quandt, Don Wiederhold, Tom Collison, and Ted Mallon. Casket Bearers will be Terry Wurzer, Adam Wurzer, Jacob Wurzer, Jerred Lane, Doug Wurzer and Mark Schreck. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Willey.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. There will be a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Friday, May 12, 23 at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, prior to the Funeral Mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Duane’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Duane was born on January 12, 1941, at St. Anthony’s Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa, the son of Lawrence and Agnes (Grossman) Wurzer. He attended St. Mary School at Willey and graduated from Kuemper High School in 1958 as the Salutatorian.
After High School Duane attended Creighton University, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and with Honors Magna Cum Laude. After graduating Creighton University, he attended Law School at Harvard University and graduated with a Bachelor of Law in 1965. He went on to obtain his Master of Law degree at New York University and graduated in 1967. After formal schooling, he moved to Denver to work for the law firm of Sherman and Howard and became a partner in the practice in 1972. He retired from Sherman and Howard after 40 years of practicing. During those 40 years, he jokingly would say that he retired after consuming 10,000 glazed donuts accompanied with a cup of coffee each morning. He maintained his membership of the Bar in both Florida and Colorado during that time. In 2001, he was honored and celebrated being inducted onto the Denver’s Top Tax Lawyer List for 10 years straight. When asked about what he thought of his storied and highly successful career: “I’m just a simple country tax lawyer!”
In 1994, David (his nephew) and Duane started Terad Fabricating Inc. in Carroll. He was instrumental in helping to get this business started as well as using his one-of-a-kind business mind to transform the company many times over the years. He always provided great business advice and was very proud of his involvement in Iowa Customs and what they have all accomplished in a short amount of time.
In 2016, he moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to move away from the hustle and bustle of Denver. The mountains were one of his favorite views. He would often come back to Iowa to visit his family and his friends from high school. A few of his favorite activities to do while back in Iowa was to spend time at Lake Panorama, boating and to sip margaritas with Dave and Bonnie.
Visiting many different countries and have a fondness for history, Duane visited Germany several times with his brother Marvin to trace back the family lineage. This came along with a keen eye for artwork. He loved collecting and displaying artwork in his home and has amassed a collection worthy of being an art gallery all by itself.
Duane also had many other passions: speed, roller coasters, tending to his many flowers and Corvettes. He owned quite a few Corvettes throughout the years but his reasons for ownership were speed and smooth body lines.
He was a brilliant, funny, warm, engaging, and caring person who brightened the lives of everyone who knew him.
Survivors include nephews David Wurzer and his wife Bonnie of Willey, Doug Wurzer and his wife Tanya of Coon Rapids, Jake Wurzer and his wife Mary of Houston, Texas; nieces Molly Walt and her husband Matt of Houston, Texas, Maggie Kasunic and her husband Kevin of Austin, Texas, Karen Blum and her husband Keith of Ames, Kathy Kozak and her husband Darrin of Glidden, Patty Nobling and her husband Glenn of Yetter, Sharon Wurzer of Nevada; sisters-in-law Lynn Wurzer of Houston, Texas and Mildred Wurzer of Coon Rapids.
He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Agnes; brothers Donald Wurzer (in infancy), Ronald Wurzer, & Marvin Wurzer; grandparents, Henry and Gertrude Wurzer and George and Mary Grossman; an aunt Frances Grossman and great-grandfather Michael Wurzer.
