Duane "Punky" N. Lorentz, 77, of Eau Claire, died Tuesday, August 29, 2006, at Sacred Heart Hospital surrounded by his wife, Ardythe/Ann; son Craig; daughters, Carol&Beth and grandson Camden by his side. He was born in Eau Claire on August 4, 1929, the son of John and Delia (Nelson) Lorentz.\r\nDuane graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School and then attended Eau Claire Technical School for Business Administration.\r\nHe was a member of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, serving from 1950, until his honorable discharge in 1954. Among the honors he received were the Korean Service Medal, U.N. Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.\r\nDuane married Ardythe "Ann" Holmes on August 5, 1961 at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.\r\nHe worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Eau Claire for 32 years, retiring in 1990.\r\nHe was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, and a Life Member of VFW Post #305.\r\nDuane was known as the "Weather Man" by his grandchildren. He loved his children and grandchildren very much, and was very proud of all of them.\r\nDuane is survived by his wife, Ardythe "Ann"; son, Craig Nelson (Rhonda) of Peoria, IL; two daughters, Carol Lorentz-Huwe (Chuck) of Green Bay and Beth Lorentz-Helman (David) of Eau Claire; eight grandchildren, Camden, Austin, Shine, Chanel, Jeremiah, Winston, Charity Rose, and Chandler; and other close family members, Keith and Shirley Holmes of Mesa, AZ, and Bonnie Holmes of Marshfield.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Jeanette Lorentz, and Doug and Iva Lorentz; a grandson, Dederick James Lorentz; and three best buddies, Robert Gunderzick, Romaine Lund, and Dennis Gilberg. \r\nDuane was a huge Green Bay Packer Fan. Packers! Packers! Packers!\r\nFuneral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2006, at Hope Lutheran Church with Pastor Omar Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery in the Town of Washington with military graveside honors. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Friday at the church.\r\n

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