Hugh Duane McGowan

Hugh Duane McGowan

Hugh Duane McGowan, age 85, of Oxford, Wisconsin passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Tomah VA Medical Center, Tomah, Wisconsin.

A private service was held on November 15, at the Tomah VA Medical Center, Tomah, Wisconsin.  Duane was born September 30, 1939, on the family farm of his parents, Hugh F. and Ada B. (Foat) McGowan of New Chester Township, Adams County, Wisconsin.  Duane attended Brooks grade school and graduated from Adams-Friendship high school. Duane started working on the family farms near Brooks, WI since he could walk. After High School he worked at Speed Queen to save money to purchase his own farm south of Brooks. After buying the farm, he served in the United States Army, stationed in Turkey. After his service he returned to his farm and proceeded to build his dream farm just down the road. He enjoyed driving his John Deere tractors and sharing his love of picking rock with anyone who wandered onto the farm. Duane also enjoyed restoring old tractors with his brother Merlin, giving them renewed life and a good home.  Duane married Dawn Bruckner in 1968, they divorced in 1976. In 1977, Duane married Beverly Powell and shared raising Bev’s three children Kenny, Connie and Mike. Their marriage ended in 1994. Duane met Lorretta Swinehart in 2001 who lovingly cared for him until his passing. Duane and Lorretta loved dancing, especially after he retired from the farm, allowing time for fun. All who watched them dance said they were as mesmerizing as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Duane was preceded in death by parents Hugh F. and Ada (Foat) McGowan, paternal grandparents William and Jane “Jennie” (Connell) Magowan, maternal grandparents Lorenzo and Mary (Hoffman) Foat, brothers Bernard McGowan and Merlin McGowan, sisters Marlis (Robert) McLean, Marcella (Irvin) Erickson, Marie (Frank) Srb, paternal uncles William Earl McGowan, Phillip McGowan, Joseph Magaun, paternal aunt Elizabeth “Lillian” (Michael) Crispo, maternal uncles Walter (Olga) Foat, Floyd (Adeline) Foat, Lester (Violet) Foat, Leland Foat, maternal aunts Ethel (Alfred) Stevens, Rosa (Asa) Bagley, Bernda (Leo) Feuerhammer, Inez (Homer) Stafford, Phyllis (Harley) Wilson, nephews Frank Srb, Larry Laing, Keith Russell, Donald McGowan, and niece Cynthia
Baumgartner.

Survivors include sister Margaret (John) Laing of Westfield, WI; loving friend Lorretta Swinehart of Oxford, WI; step sons Kenneth Powell of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; Michael Powell of South Bend, Indiana; step daughter Connie (Thad) Hammond of Rantoul, IL; nieces Carol Simonson of Endeavor, WI; Donna (Pat) Tucker of Oxford, WI; Susan (David) Kopach of Coloma, WI; Jeanne Davis of Sun Prairie, WI; Deb Stevens of Mauston, WI; Julianne McGowan of Madison, WI; Sherrie (Karl) Bluedorn, Lyndon Station, WI; nephews Dean (Bonnie) Russell of Rockford, IL; Mark (Cindy) Srb of Sun Prairie, WI; and Joe Srb of Sun Prairie, WI. Duane is further survived by dear friends Rodney and Rachel Reichhoff of Oxford, WI and multiple generations of great nieces, nephews and
cousins. May his spirit be dancing in the twinkling stars of heaven.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.