Duane Robert Pfaff 91 of Bangor, Wisconsin, passed away at the Tomah Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center on Thursday, August 20, 2020.  He was born July 7, 1929, in the German Settlement rural Mindoro, Wisconsin, to Kathryn Amanda and Franklin Henry Pfaff.

Duane was raised with his sister Joan on the family farm. He served his country in the Korean War – drafted into service July 25th, 1952.  He fought on the front lines in heavy artillery.  He was honorably discharged in April 1954. On June 5, 1954 he married Mary Lou Jones at the Mindoro Presbyterian Church.  Duane’s life work was  cheese making which began at the Hokah Cheese Factory, Hokah, Minnesota. He was instrumental in converting the Mindoro Coop Creamery to a cheese factory, managing it for several years. During his career he ran several cheese factories in Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota  He eventually bought his own factory, Springdale Cheese, in rural Viola, Wisconsin. Duane and Mary Lou also started a retail cheese store, LeCoulee Cheese Castle, which still operates in West Salem, Wisconsin. This had been a lifelong dream of Duane’s.

Duane is survived by Mary Lou his wife of 66 years. He is further survived by his four children, Douglas (Beverly) Pfaff of Sorrento, Fl,  Debra (Joseph) Gerke of Bangor, WI, Pamela (Rodney) Olson of Barre Mills, WI and Robert (Dawn) Pfaff of Mineral Point, WI, and four grandchildren, Joel Franklin Gerke, Emily Jo Gerke, Nolan Pfaff, and Dane Pfaff.

He also leaves behind many other family members and friends who were special to him.

The family wishes to thank the Tomah VA for their special care and the Honor Escort provided to acknowledge his service to his country.