Duane Tirschel

Hartley “Duane” Tirschel, 88, of Iron Mountain passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at Florence Health Services in Florence, WI. Duane was born September 2, 1931 in Kingsford, MI, son of the late George Lammi, Dorothy and Edward Tirschel. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1950 where he earned 11 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and tennis. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University in 1954. On May 29 of that same year, he married Lorraine Barr at Immaculate Conception Church in Iron Mountain; she preceded him in death in 2009. While in college, Duane joined the United States Navy Reserves, where he served for six years. For many years, he owned and operated Tirschel Beer Distributing and Peninsula Beverage Company of Iron Mountain with his father Edward Tirschel. Duane was also a co-owner of The Holiday Inn Express in Iron Mountain. It was Duane’s dream to build a golf course, and he realized his dream when TimberStone Golf Course opened in 1997. He was proud to host the Tom Izzo/Steve Marriucci golf fundraiser at TimberStone for many years, as well as the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame golf fundraiser. Duane was an avid sports fan and sponsored many local athletic teams and events throughout his life. He was inspired by people who supported his own baseball and softball teams in his youth and wanted to provide the same opportunities for the children in the local communities. Duane was inducted into the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 both for his athletic accomplishments and for being a long time supporter of Upper Michigan athletics. He was the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame executive director from 1994-2007. Duane is responsible for the relocation of the Hall of Fame from Marquette Lakeview Arena to Pine Mountain Resort’s Famer’s Restaurant. Over the years, Duane served as president of both Peninsula Beverage and Timberstone Golf Course. He was a board member of Wis Pak in Watertown, WI, and a member of the Rotary Club and St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kingsford. He enjoyed going to camp with his family and playing cards with his buddies, as well as watching Tom Izzo coach the Michigan State basketball team. He loved the fan bus trips to Michigan State and going to Tom Izzo’s home after the game. On December 1st, 2011, he married Susan Brey Martin at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kingsford. Duane leaves his wife, Susan; a brother, Everett (Marion) Lammi of Menasha, WI; sons, Brian (Debi) Tirschel of Iron Mountain and Duane Tirschel Jr. of Kingsford; daughters, Terry (Mark) Wiederrecht of Kingsford and Sue Tirschel Graber (Sharon Ducat) of Suamico, WI; grandchildren, Shannon (Jeff) Verbrigghe of Escanaba, MI, Heidi (Craig) Wickingson of Green Bay, WI, Chad Tirschel of Quinnesec, Brianne Tirschel of Kingsford, Martha Wiederrecht of Iron Mountain and Zachary and Cathleen Graber of Suamico, WI; great-grandsons, Dylan Tirschel of Kingsford and Emmett Tirschel of Kingsford; along with many special nieces and nephews. Duane was loved and will be missed by his wife Susan’s children, grandchildren and family. Duane was preceded in death by his father, George Lammi; parents, Edward and Dorothy Tirschel; wife, Lorraine; a daughter, Jill Marie Tirschel; sister, Kathryn Constantini and brother-in-law, Robert Constantini of Kingsford; in-laws, Linda Moore of Iron Mountain, Donald and Louise Lantagne of Florence, Lottie and Robert Kerney of Chicago and a special nephew, Mark Lantagne of Niagara. The Tirschel family would like to thank Florence Health Services in Florence, WI, for their wonderful care of Duane while he was a resident there. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 26 from 8:30 to 10:30am at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00am at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kingsford. There will not be a luncheon after the mass due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trico in Duane’s memory. Condolences to the family of Duane Tirschel may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Duane Tirschel

September 2, 1931 - April 21, 2020