Duaine Smithback

Duaine C. Smithback, age 60, passed away on January 10, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin, the son of Claire and Hazel (Nelson) Smithback.

Duaine graduated from Marshall High School in 1973. He was a member of the Deerfield Rod and Gun Club for many years. He enjoyed shooting trap at the gun club and playing a good game of cards with his friends. Duaine, or Papa as he was known to his grandchildren, loved taking them to festivals, watching old television shows with them, and cheering on his Packers. He enjoyed many trips with them in his campers and loved to travel all over with family and friends, always making new friends. A great outdoorsmen, Duaine hunted and fished all over Wisconsin and the western United States. He worked with his brothers, Dennis and Mark, at Smithback Excavating for over 30 years.

Duaine is survived by his wife, Ellen Smithback, two children Felipe (Jennifer) Banuelos and Leticia (Andrew) LaVoy; grandchildren Brianna and her son Briar, Brady, Brynna, Beckham, Isabelle, Mariana, and Lucia; two brothers; Dennis (Beverly) and Mark; he is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved stepfather, Ervin Klecker.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2015 at St. Paul's Liberty Lutheran Church, 3494 Oak Park Road, Deerfield. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. Luncheon will be held at the church education center following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the U.W. Carbone Cancer Center or Habitat for Humanity of Dane County.

The family would like to thank the U.W. Carbone Center, U.W. Health Cottage Grove, and Sun Prairie Clinics for the supportive care they provided during his long fight with cancer.