Thomas E. Duenkel, age 72, from Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Sunday, July 18, 2021.
Tom was born on June 20, 1949 in Manitowoc to the late LeRoy and Elayne (Bausch) Duenkel. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1968. In 1972, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. He went on to serve his country with 10 years in the United States Army Reserve. Tom owned and operated his own auto service station at North 8th and Huron streets in Manitowoc, Tom’s Standard Service. He went on to work at Holiday House and then for the City of Manitowoc at Evergreen Cemetery and then the Parks and Recreation Department. On March 30, 2001, Tom married Gloria Hanes in Two Rivers. He enjoyed restoring hot rods – especially his grandfather’s 1938 Ford pickup truck. Tom also liked eating copious amounts of ice cream, taking road trips to Sturgeon Bay with his wife Gloria, being outdoors and cutting his grass, visiting with his friends at his station around the “special soda machine”. Above all, Tom enjoyed spending his time with his family and friends – especially with his grandchildren.
Survivors include Tom’s wife of 20 years, Gloria, Two Rivers; two daughters, Jamie (Howard) Gleason, Two Rivers; and Mindy (Travis) Christensen, Whitelaw; four grandchildren, Grace and Sophia Gleason, and Abigail and Quentin Thomas Christensen; four sisters, Connie (Greg) Rysticken, Theresa (Michael) Brauer, Gloria (Peter) Pivonka, and Mary (Jim) Koss; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Elayne Duenkel; and sister, Christine Duenkel.
Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Rev. Jose Lopez will officiate with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, Manitowoc. Military rites will be accorded by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 731. A luncheon for relatives and friends will follow at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the funeral home. The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and again on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Tom’s name.
Tom’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staffs of Magnolia Meadows and Heartland Hospice for all of the care and compassion they provided.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
