"I am a 1962 graduate of Lincoln High School. I was a football player who had Moose for a coach for 4 years and he was my teacher for American History. He was a great coach, an interesting,energetic teacher who made learning fun, and a wonderful man. I also worked with him at the "Rec" as a member of his crew responsible for lining softball and baseball diamonds around town for the Recreation Department during the summer months. Now, as I coach my 11 year old grandson in basketball and football, I remember Moose all the more and marvel at how he mentored young people. I never had a teaher or coach who I liked more. My sympathies to his family--and that includes everyone whose life he touched. "
In loving memory of
Duane "Moose" Woltzen
June 16, 1933 - March 6, 2009
Duane "Moose" Woltzen, an icon of Lakeland College who carved his own chapter in Wisconsin basketball history, died Friday, March 6, 2009, at his home in Port Washington, Wis. He was 75. He was known to nearly everyone as Moose, certainly because of his commanding physical presence, but also because of the life-changing contributions he made to so many of the young people whose lives he touched during his two decades at Lakeland. On the court, Woltzen became the first Wisconsin basketball coach to win 500 career games (1985), and for years held the title of Wisconsin's winningest basketball coach. He finished his college coaching career, which spanned from 1965-88, with a 536-229 record for a gaudy career winning percentage of 70 percent. Off the court, Woltzen and his wife of 52 years, Dona, who died in 2006, touched the lives of countless Lakeland alumni, who would flock to their side at a moment's notice with their unconditional love and support. The Woltzens had two children - Julie and Scott - but in reality they had many. "Today, the College feels a tremendous sense of loss," said Lakeland president Stephen Gould. "Moose was such a great representative of what we do around here. Together, Moose and Dona made a significant difference in the lives of many Lakeland College student athletes. They did so by caring, and caring a lot. They will always represent, in fullest measure, the spirit of the college." After earning his bachelor's and master's degrees at Illinois State University in 1957 and 1959, respectively, the Minonk, Ill., native began his career as a teacher at Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Ill., where he coached basketball, football and track. He read in a Chicago paper that Lakeland College was looking for a basketball coach, and he was hired in 1964 by then-president John Morland. The idea was to get some college coaching experience and move along the path to his dream job - UCLA. But like it has for so many who come to Lakeland, it didn't quite work that way. "My goal in life was to establish my credentials and prove that I could coach college athletes and leave this place," Woltzen said in 2005. "And we got some good offers. But Dona didn't want to move to Anchorage, Alaska, or California or UW-Milwaukee, so we stayed." The Woltzens settled into a home on Lakeland's "Prof Row," quickly becoming the anchors of the community on campus. For over five decades, Moose and Dona were partners in life, setting a model for caring and sharing for all that came to know them. The main gymnasium in Lakeland's Todd Wehr Athletic Center, used for the first time during the 2005-06 season, was named The Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium in a dedication ceremony on Father's Day in June of 2005. When Woltzen stepped down as Lakeland's men's basketball coach and athletic director in 1988, he left a legacy that helped fill Lakeland's trophy case. His tenure saw Lakeland win 20 or more games in 18 of his 23 seasons as the Muskies captured 11 conference championships. In 1965-66, Lakeland represented Wisconsin at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championship tournament. The Muskies played many of their "home games" during Woltzen's tenure at the Sheboygan Municipal Armory, often packing the facility with local fans for showdowns with rival private schools or members of the State University Conference. But Woltzen's reach went far beyond Lakeland and Sheboygan County. A frequent guest speaker at basketball camps and clinics and to service clubs, he was a fixture on the international basketball scene. The Muskies regularly played overseas during Lakeland Winterims, taking trips to Austria, Denmark, England, Holland, Jamaica, Scotland, Spain and other countries. Woltzen started his own international sports tours business and he managed international trips for numerous college and university basketball programs at all levels, and brought international teams to the U.S. Woltzen served as a coach for the U.S. team in the Pan Am games in 1975, he coached a U.S. team in Russia in 1973 and 1978, served on the USA Men's Basketball Olympic Committee and scouted for the Olympic Basketball team. In a story in the Oct. 11, 1982, edition of The Sheboygan Press, then-sports editor Denny Moyer wrote, "Moose is Moose. Always has been, always will be, whether standing next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris or a corn stalk in Minonk, Ill., sitting in a gondola in Venice or in a living room in the Chicago slums, negotiating with a cab driver in Amsterdam or an official in the Sheboygan Armory." A longtime member of the NAIA District 14 Executive Committee, Woltzen was president, vice president and treasurer of the NAIA Basketball Coaches Association. He was inducted into the Lakeland College Hall of Fame, ISU Athletic Hall of Fame, Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and NAIA District 14 Athletic Hall of Fame, and named a recipient of the ISU Alumni Achievement Award. In 1988, he was named to Milwaukee Magazine's list of "The 88 Most Interesting People."
Service:
Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 10:00 AM at the Moose and Dona Woltzen Gymnasium at Lakeland College.
Tributes
"My deepest sympathy goes out to you. Moose was a remarkable man whose lists of accomplishments are well documented. However, something that can't be documented are the number of young people's lives he impacted while at Lakeland.The lives he touched and changed in a positive way are endless. His life has passed but his memory will never be forgotten by those of us he influenced during his lifetime."
"Scott, Julie and family, Coach was like a father to me as he was to many of us that played for him in the 60's. I would not have been successful today had it not been for "Moose". He was an inspiration and mentor to us all. We are better people today for knowing him. We will miss him, but will never forget all the lessons of life that he taught us. Moose and Dona are now rejoicing in heaven. David and Carolyn Pierce"
"Hazel & family, My sincerest regrets for the loss of "Moose". Herman used to tell many stories about your family & of course, about "Moose". I know he will be missed. My Sincere Sympathy - God Bless!! Darlene Budde"
"This message is mostly for his sister, Carol and his mother Hazel. Don't know if you will remember me. Probably as Donna Heider. Carol, remember how we used to go over to ISU to see your brother. I tried to find you when your Dad died, but didn't have any luck. You have my sympathy and prayers. I'd love to hear from you."
"My connection to Duane"Moose" Woltzen began when he was a Minonk high school athlete and I was covering high school sports for the Bloomington Pantagraph in the 1950s.I didn`t see much of him in his college days because I had moved out of state. When I returned to Illinois as sports editor of the Springfield Illinois State Journal who did I find sending his Lincoln High School basketball teams against Springfield teams but "Moose"? And then when "Moose" was coaching at Lakeland College I was the Sports Information Director at Illinois Wesleyan University. "Moose`s" basketball team became one of the few small college teams to defeat IWU when future NBA star Jack Sikma was the IWU star. I was in Kansas City when "Moose" had his team in the NAIA National Tournament. Through the years he was a person I liked and respected.When I think of him I invision smiles, not frowns. It was disheartening when Donna Rae and I recently learned he was seriously ill. Now he`s gone. Our hearts go out to his family. He was an outstanding coach and person."
"Dear Scott & Julie We are ever so grateful to have had your parents be a part of our lives. Your Dad had such a positive, never "give up" attitude and a way of finding and using the best attributes of people. I won't forget all the wonderful truly educational trips and the last second wins that "Moose" was brillant at pulling off. He had such a fun way of kidding around with everyone that was a real gift. May knowing others care help you thru this difficult time. Cindy Kandler Wharton"
"Scott, I don't know if you remember me but I was a Kohler kid and have fond memories of the Lakeland College basketball games I attended at the Sheboygan Armory. Your Dad was always a large presence at every game and I will always remember his voice, usually chewing out a referee or a player who was not playing well. You were blessed to have had a father like you did. Warm thoughts, Loren Erickson"
"I remember Duane Woltzen from Lincoln High School. He was one of the teachers everybody liked. He's been gone from Lincoln now almost as long as I have but certainly not forgotten."
"My deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Woltzen. Mr. Woltzen was a my football coach and a teacher when he started his career at Lincoln Community High School in the late 1950's. He had such a great understanding of his students and the role of athletics in the development of young minds. A fond memory from Woodlawn Field where we played and practiced for him while attending LCHS. Mr. Woltzen was a great drop kicker. Some of us football boys after a long practice bet him he could not drop kick the football through the uprights from the 40 yard line. The bet was a large chocolate malt. Well....we lost. I might note we made that bet more than once and he always won. "
"Coach; will be missed by all of his dear friends that cherished his friendship in the late 60's A great man that Made Lakeland the college it is today. You will find a team to coach in HEAVEN, MOOSE."
"So Sorry to hear of the passing of Coach Woltzen. As a graduate of Lincoln Community High School as part of the class of 1959 it was my priviledge to play for Coach when he was just beginning is illustrious career. As a former player it was neat to see the success that he enjoyed after he left good old LCHS. He wil be fondly remimbered. With deep sympathy, Walter Wall"
"Please accept our families condolences. You are in our prayers. Sincerely the Frostman Family"
"To the entire Woltzen family - On behalf of all the student-atletes from the mid sixties. We will miss "Moose" beyond comprehension! Moose was an inspiration,friend,counseler, coach, and a tremendous leader! We are all better individuals because of our relationship with Moose. Thank goodness for the memories! Bob & Carole Loffredo "
"My deepest sympathy to Mr. Woltzen's family and friends. I knew him as a teacher and coach when I attended Lincoln Community High School in the late 1950s. I will always remember his friendliness and boundless energy in motivating people to do their best."
"A great leader and role model has left us. What a man...what a leagacy. We will not forget his contributions to mankind."
"To mother Hazel, children,grandchildren,sister Carol and brother Jim. Please accept our sincere sympathy at this time of your loss. we will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. the Virgil and Gladys Ioerger children and families: Karen Cole Normal,IL.. Karyl(Terry) Harris ElPaso,IL., Sharon Sullivan Aiken,SC, Maryl Salisbury Normal, IL. and Daryl(Karen) Ioerger Normal,IL. "
"Dear Julie & Scott: We thank God for all the good things that your Dad and mom did for our kids while they were at Lakeland! Not only was your Dad "Mr. Basketball", he was also a kind and caring buy who took in Craig & Cindy and helped them in the pathway of life. Your Dad was always cordial and friendly to us any time that we saw him on campus and even though he was a hero in his accomplishments in basketball, at Lakeland, in the state, the nation and even around the world, he still was of such a kind nature that he could talk to you and you felt right at home with him. Even when your Mom was at the Matthews Cancer Clinic in Sheboygan and your Dad brought her, we were there with Nancy's father for the same purposes, he (they) were friendly and we visited like old times when they were on campus. Your father used basketball as his platform to be kind and to mold the people for their goodness sake and for the goodness sake of all society. Now may he rest in peace with a job well done, as Jesus said, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of my Kingdom.! Remember, God always has the last word, even in death, and that word is good. We send our love and sympathy to you, recognizing that we have had the privilege of knowing a great guy as a friend! May you be comforted and may our Lord heal your heavy hearts. The Kandlers, Kaukauna, Wisconsin"
" Scott/Julie Your Dad was a very special Person in my Life. I cant happen to recall of the numerous stories on Road trips to Iowa Illinois and Wisconsin Michigan that we traveled together he shared. He was MAN of Great Knowledge and Respect.The Europe experience was something Ill never forget, God Bless Him and Dona, My thoughts and Payers are with you and your Families, THANKS for the MEMORIES MOOSE Craig Kandler /CandyMAN # 1 Muskie Manager"