Duane W. Simmons

Duane W. Simmons, age 53, of Manitowoc, died unexpectedly, of natural causes, on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at home.
Duane was born in Madison, WI, a son of William and Carol (Meingast) Simmons, and grew up in Janesville, WI. Following high school, he graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, earned his Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling at UW-Stout, and later went on to complete a second Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. On May 15, 1993, he married Stephanie Ann Lesko, his college sweetheart, at Gesu Church in Milwaukee. Duane was a guidance counselor with the Manitowoc Public School District at both the elementary and high school levels before becoming the Principal at Jackson Elementary School. He loved his Jackson Family and the opportunity to serve as the principal of Jackson Elementary School. He felt a great sense of pride in the students and staff and all they accomplished together as a team.
Duane dedicated both his professional and personal life to the betterment of others, always there to listen, guide, and give the biggest and best hugs. He touched the lives of so very many with his positive spirit and abounding cheerfulness. A man of deep faith, he loved the church and devoted much of his time to strengthening his own personal faith as well as enriching the lives of others.
His family was his first love. He enjoyed taking them on adventures he dubbed as "Mandatory Simmons Fun Days." Duane enjoyed time with friends, hunting, fishing, camping, playing poker and card games, quoting movie lines and going for adventurous drives. He loved to cook and perfect his many recipes, including pad thai, smoked ribs, southwest egg rolls, and more.
Survivors include his wife: Stephanie Simmons of Manitowoc; three sons: Zackary Simmons, Joey Simmons and Matthew Simmons, all of Madison; his parents: Bill and Carol Simmons of Janesville; his brother: Russ (Sarah) Simmons of La Crosse; his in-laws: Scott Lesko (partner, Amber), Danielle Lesko and Nicole Lesko, all of Anchorage, Alaska, along with aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by maternal and paternal grandparents as well as his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Steve and Maryann Lesko.
A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 3201 Mishicot Rd., Two Rivers. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Dave Pleier.
The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Tuesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m.
The memorial service will be live streamed on the St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church website or St. Peter the Fisherman Facebook page.
Memorials in Duane's name will be used to establish a scholarship in his memory.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.
Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels, 1506 18th St., Two Rivers, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.