Duane “Dewey” Gaudette was 84, when he passed away peacefully Saturday evening, December 5, 2015 at Three Links Care Center, Northfield, MN. He was a patient and quiet man. Dewey was very modest and enjoyed the simple things in life. Extremely intelligent, there wasn’t anything he could not fix.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 2, pm, with a time of gathering starting at 12:30 pm, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN. Jean Breeggemann will lead the service. The Prior Lake American Legion Honor Guard will be present. A private family burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The third of four children, Duane Donald was born on February 17, 1931, in Amery, Wisconsin to parents, Roy and Ann Elizabeth (Waldbillig) Gaudette. He grew up in a small town of Range, WI, until the passing of his dad, when Dewey was just 12. His mother later married, Ralph Thompson. Dewey moved to Amery, WI and now his family included 10 step-brothers and sisters.
All through Dewey’s life, he had a strong interest in mechanics. Dewey’s interest in all things mechanical began at a very early age. He was soon fixing cars on his own. This interest lead him to later racing cars and repairing them too. As the years went on, Dewey became the individual everyone would call upon when something needed to be fixed or built.
For 35 years, Dewey was a Quality Assurance Specialist for the Department of Defense in the Defense Contract Administration Service Management Area (DCASMA) Twin Cities. He was responsible for assuring supplies or services procured by the Department of Defense satisfy the conditions set forth in various contracts. Dewey earned the respect and confidence of his fellow employees, agency personnel and contractors with his calm, rational, intelligent and technically competent manner in performing his job.
Through mutual friends, Dewey met and later married Marvel Petersen on November 12, 1955, at the Cathedral of St. Paul. They were blessed with 5 children, Denise, Linda, Donald, Kathy and Chris. Over their 60 years of marriage, due to Dewey’s job transfers, they lived in several places before settling in Eagan. For 35 years, Eagan was called Dewey and Marvel’s home. Upon selling their Eagan home they lived a few years in Buffalo before Prior Lake became their home for the past 10 years.
Dewey was a dedicated supporter of his country and community. He served in the United States Air Force from November 1, 1951 to October 31, 1955, mainly stationed at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota attached to a SAC bomber squadron. For 15 years, he was committed in serving the Eagan Volunteer Fire Department. When time allowed, he was an avid fisherman, with fond memories of the annual trips to Big Stone and up north with the guys. And can’t forget fishing with his children and later teaching his grandchildren the sport. Dewey loved dogs and was an avid reader, with a focus on history and Canada. His love for building and fixing things continued.
Despite his diagnoses of Alzheimer’s five years ago, Dewey never lost his sense of humor. With the help from his devoted wife and beloved family, he found great comfort in being able to stay home. On October 5, Dewey lived the rest of his days at Valley Ridge Memory Care Burnsville, MN.
Left to honor Dewey’s life and forever love and miss him is his wife of 60 years, Marvel; children, Denise Gaudette, Linda (Paul) Gaudette-Sigel, Donald (Ann) Gaudette, Kathy (Norm) Jerde, Chris (Kristi) Gaudette; grandchildren, Melissa, Chris (Abby), Claire, John, Luke, Zach, Maddie; great-grandson, Ben; sister, Beverly McCreary; many friends, step sisters and step brothers, and relatives
Greeting Dewey home in heaven are his parents; Roy and Ann; step-father, Ralph Thompson; brother; Leroy (Barbara) and, sister; Shirley (Jim) Jones.
Dewey’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to those who cared for him during his illness, especially Touching Lives Adult Day Care and Valley Ridge Memory Care. We are grateful for your care and compassion towards Dewey and you will always have a special place in our hearts.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel proudly served and cared for the Gaudette family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
