Wilfred Duethman

Wilfred L. Duethman, age 90, of Paola passed away Wednesday June 1, 2011 at the Golden Living Center in Spring Hill, Kansas. The Rosary will be recited at 6 PM on Sunday June, 5th at Penwell-Gabel funeral home with visitation following from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be Monday, June 6th at 10:00 AM at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Memorials should be sent to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola, Kansas. Wilfred was born on May 19, 1921 in Westphalia, Ks to Joseph and Mary Duethman. He graduated from Westphalia High School in 1940. The next year Wilfred enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp (the precursor to the current US Air Force). He completed his radio operator mechanics training in 1942 and served until receiving his honorable discharge on May 30, 1945 as a Tech Sergeant. On October 9, 1946 he was united in marriage to his soul mate Wilma in Garnett, Kansas. Together they lived in Ottawa for 13 years before moving to Paola, Ks in 1959. Wilfred was employed with KCPL for 37 years as a master electrician and he was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, VFW, American Legion, and the BPOE. He is preceded in death by his parents, son Terry, daughter Elaine, brother Joseph, twin brother Alfred, and sister Theonilla. Wil was an avid fisherman and enjoyed woodworking and youth leadership roles like baseball coach and Boy Scout leader. After retirement from KCPL, Wil conducted electrical safety seminars at schools and county fairs in eastern Kansas and did many electrical troubleshooting projects for people in and around Paola. Survivors are: his wife Wilma, son Charles and wife Sue Duethman of Lake Charles, La. daughter Mary Jo and husband Mike Brosch of Leawood, Ks, daughter Jan and husband Richard Torrez of Topeka, Ks, son Jon and wife Jenna Duethman of Broken Arrow, Ok, 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by family and friends. Holy Trinity Catholic Church Service: Monday, June 06, 2011 10:00 AM Visitation: Sunday, June 05, 2011 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Rosary at 6:00 PM