Duane Leroy Hegna, age 91, passed away on January 2, 2026, at Meadowview Memory Care in Baraboo following a brief illness. 
Duane was born on October 23, 1934, to Elmer and Frances Hegna, of Cameron. Duane was raised on a dairy and hog farm and graduated from Cameron High School proudly claiming the titles of Prom King, Basketball Team Captain, Baseball Team Captain and “Turk” the trumpet player.
While serving as an usher at a cousin’s wedding, an attractive young lady caught his eye. One whom he even dared to pinch when seating. That lady, Carol Jean Nelson of Barron, was later to become his cherished wife of 70 years celebrated this past year.
Duane and Jean moved to Baraboo in 1960 and managed a new dairy farm in town owned by Baraboo industrialist, Norman Sauey, Heatherstone Enterprises. By the mid 60’s they purchased the operation from Sauey and spent the next 25 years building a world renown genetic herd of registered Holsteins and keeping a meticulously maintained farmstead at the foothills of the Baraboo Bluffs and Devils Lake State Park. The farm has long been admired by passersby and fellow dairymen.
Upon retirement, Duane and Jean enjoyed spending winter months at the Voyageur Resort in Tucson, AZ. The snowbirds were blessed by the friendship of several couples who also made the annual trip south. Those memories made were the fondest.
Duane was active in various community, state and national organizations and enjoyed being an active volunteer at any event. He was a 4-H Dairy Project Leader, WI Holstein Association Board of Director, WI Forage Council Board of Director, National Holstein Association Member & Delegate, Baraboo Elks and Lions Club Member, Red Cross Blood Drive and World Dairy Expo volunteer. In 1985, Duane and Carol Jean received the Wisconsin Master Agriculturist Award and the Wisconsin Outstanding Holstein Breeder Award. Heatherstone Farm served as host of the first Sauk Co. June Dairy Month Breakfast, and Duane continued to serve on the breakfast planning committee through 2025. He was also a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Baraboo, serving on the church council and singing in the choir in earlier years.
Duane is survived by his wife, Carol Jean; his daughter, Valerie (Mike) Holschbach, Baraboo; grandchildren, Brienne (Clay) Carlson, Verona, Chase Holschbach, Baraboo, and Dr. Chelsea Holschbach, Fitchburg; three great grandchildren, Mason, Elin, and Isla Carlson and sister-in-law, Sharlot Nelson, Barron. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Beverly Norwick, and his brother-in-law, Charles Nelson.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Baraboo with Pastor Donald Glanzer officating. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be private.
The family would like to thank the staff at Meadow View Memory Care and Agrace Hospice for their precious and tender loving care of dad.
Memorials may be made in Duane’s honor to Lions Club International, Sauk Co. Fair Society or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
