Duane Elliot Wisse was born on Jan. 4, 1948 in Baldwin, Wis., to Marion and Donna Wisse, their oldest son. His younger brother Bruce was born three years later, and the family moved to a farm outside of River Falls when Duane was 11 years old. He graduated from River Falls HS in 1966 and UW-RF in 1970 with a Speech Pathology Degree, working as a speech therapist in Frederic, Siren, Webster and Grantsburg from 1970-79.
“Wis” as he was affectionately known as, married Jane Lewis in 1969 and they raised two kids together in Frederic, Jen and Jake. Including their dating years, they were together for 40 years until she passed in 2006. Duane was very active in the Frederic community, serving as Charter President of the Frederic Lions Club in 1974, President and Board Member for the Frederic Golf Course, four terms as a trustee on the Frederic Village Board and President of the Frederic Development Corporation.
Duane started working in real estate when school was off in the summers, then went full time in 1979. He became a partner in Lakes ‘N Land Realty, then sole owner of that business in Frederic, and eventually owner of Frederic Realty. Wis was a natural salesperson and eventually worked for Edina Realty before retiring in 2018.
Wis loved sports, playing basketball and baseball in high school, and serving as Head High School Baseball Coach for Frederic for three years in the 70s. He then got involved in what was a new sport at the time—girls basketball. Duane was Frederic’s Head Coach from 1974-1988, leading teams to five conference and regional championships and reaching sectional finals twice. He then became Assistant Boys Coach for Frederic from 88-91 so he could coach both his kids while they were in high school, and then served as Siren Head Boys Basketball Coach for several years. In his later years, Duane announced area high school basketball games, never staying far away from the sport. Wis was widely loved and/or respected by decades of players, coaches and referees in the area.
Duane cherished his role as grandfather to Zach, Madison, Maya, Skyler and Scout, and loved playing with them at the cabin on Spirit Lake and watching their sports as they grew up. He also greatly enjoyed golf, and attending Badger football and basketball games with friends and family. Duane married wife Gwynne in 2010 and loved becoming part of the Jenson family for the past 16 years, after knowing her and her brothers when they were in elementary school. He passed away on Feb. 4, 2026 after an eight-month battle with bladder cancer.
Wis is preceded in death by his parents, brother Bruce, and first wife Jane. He will be greatly mourned by wife Gwynne, daughter Jennifer (Chad) Greenquist, son Jake Wisse, stepson Matt (Erin) Jenson, stepdaughter Margo Jenson, grandchildren Zachary Greenquist, Maya Greenquist, Madison Wisse, Skyler Wisse, Scout Wisse, River Jenson, Ayla Jenson, Brynn Jenson and many other friends and relatives.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 28, 2026 at the Bone Lake Lutheran Church with visitation from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 at the Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic and also one hour before the service at the church.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories, and photos at www.rowefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic WI, 715-327-4475.
