The spirit of Duane Lewis Koplien, age 88, ascended into Heaven to be with God on May 14, 2023.
Duane said to God “Just as I am, I come,” and he knew that just as he was, he was accepted there.
He was born to Lewis and Belva Koplien on August 14, 1934 in King, Wisconsin. Duane studied at the University of Hawaii and also at Ripon College after graduation from high school. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Ripon College in Business Administration and then served in the United States Army. Duane married his loving wife, Patricia Lovejoy on September 12, 1959. Together they had three children, Sally, Terry, and Lewis. They spent 31 years owning and operating Brasch’s House of Cheese, specialty store, bakery, restaurant and farm market in Fremont, Wisconsin. He primarily concerned himself with the farm market arm of the business, growing, harvesting, and otherwise procuring much of the produce himself. Previously, they lived in Milwaukee for 12 years owning and operating Brasch’s Sunrise Eggs. Farming was not just an occupation for Duane, it was also his hobby; he farmed from a young age through his later years.
Duane enjoyed any time he spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was known to be a thoughtful individual, with a patient and calming presence. He was also known to be a supportive and helpful individual. Duane was a loving individual, and he was and is forever loved. D
uane is survived by his children Sally Hartfiel, Terry (Paul) Fischer, and Lewis Koplien; grandchildren, Joseph (Amanda) Fischer, Robert Hartfiel, Nicholas (Samantha Trammell) Fischer, Angela (Brad) Kuechler, and Natalie (Chadwick) Hartfiel-Jackson; great-grandchildren Charlotte, Evelyn, and Meredith Fischer, Kristen, Khloe, and Carter Kuechler; sister, Barbara (David) Radtke; sister-in-law Charidy Ann Schmidt; brother-in-law Robert Lovejoy; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Duane is preceded in death by his wife Patricia Koplien, father Lewis Koplien, mother Belva Koplien (Bucholtz), brother Daniel Koplien, son-in-law John Hartfiel, infant grandson Samuel Hartfiel, and brother-in-law Duane Schmidt.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 11 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 107 Tustin Rd., Fremont. Pastor Mark Drengler will officiate. Burial with full military rites will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Fremont. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday from 9-11AM.
The family of Duane would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Riverside (ThedaCare Waupaca) Clinic and Hospital, especially Dr. Paul Sletten, Dr. Robert Sedlacek, and Dr. Ezra Lyon and also the staff of Greentree Rehabilitation, especially Dr. Ronald Schreiber and Kelly Bechard, APNP as well as the entire nursing staff, for their compassionate and skilled care which allowed Duane to transition peacefully without pain.