Duane O. Westerberg

Duane O. Westerberg, age 91, of Grayslake, Illinois died Friday, February 28 at his home. He was born in Stockholm, Wisconsin, February 8, 1929, son of Helgi and Edythe (Johnson) Westerberg. Duane grew up in Pepin, Wisconsin, where his parents introduced him to fishing and golf which became life-long interests. He graduated from Pepin High School in 1945. Following graduation he joined the Army Air Corp. as a volunteer. After his discharge in 1949 he attended the University of Wisconsin River Falls and graduated in 1953.
Duane then attended graduate school in physical chemistry at The Ohio State University. There he met Bonita Bane from Gallipolis, Ohio and they were married July 29, 1956. Duane and Bonita celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in 2019. In 1959 he started his working career with Union Carbide Corporation in Chicago, Illinois. This division later became Viskase Corporation. The job location necessitated their move to Park Forest, Illinois. They moved to Grayslake, Illinois in 1998.
After his retirement in 1991 Duane and Bonita spent the winter months in various warmer locations towing their travel trailer. Later in life he developed a skill working with stained glass and gave many of his creations to family members.
He is survived by his devoted wife Bonita, sons Duane Eric (Amy) Westerberg, David Adam (Lisa) Westerberg and Daniel Isaac (Denise) Westerberg, grandchildren LTJG Jenna Westerberg, John Westerberg, and Danica Westerberg, many cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents Helgi and Edythe Westerberg, sister Valerie Schroeder, brother-in-law Allen Schroeder.
Services were held March 14 at Libertyville Covenant Church, Libertyville, Illinois. Burial will be at a later date in Oakwood Cemetery, Pepin, Wisconsin. Memorials may be made to River Valley Methodist Church, Pepin.