MONONA – Duane Milo Larsen died on Thursday, July 6, 2023, after a brief illness. He was born in Eau Claire, Wis., on Nov. 2, 1932, the fourth child of Martin and Hilma Larsen. His early years were spent in Eau Claire attending public schools and graduating from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1951. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean Conflict as a member of the Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees). Upon discharge from the Navy, he attended the Missouri School of Mines, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1960. He worked for 34 years in the battery industry as a development engineer, quality control engineer, technology manager and government research project leader. He belonged to several professional and fraternal societies during his lifetime.
Duane married his wife, Olivia, in 1960 and their marriage endured until her death in 2018. He is survived by two daughters, Mary (Roy) Simmons and Emily Larsen; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Special thanks to the staff at Milestone Senior Living in Stoughton, Wis., and to the care team at Agrace HospiceCare.
At Duane’s request, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or to the charity of the individual’s choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
If you would like to share an obituary of a loved one to be listed here, please contact the Navy Seabee Foundation at info@seabee.org.