Duane “Dewey” J. Longseth passed away Thursday, April 19, 2018 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. He faced cancer as he did with everything in his life, with strength, courage and a little bit of humor.
Dewey was born November 7, 1954 in Beaver Dam, the son of Carl and Anna (Bischoff) Longseth. He graduated from Beaver Dam Senior High School in 1971. He married his best friend and soulmate Julie Mulvaney. He was blessed with a sweet baby girl, Shana. Out of high school he drove truck for Mayr’s Seed & Feed. He worked for Mulvaney Siding from September 1975 to March 1992. In March of 1992 he became an officer, and later a sergeant, for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. He worked at the Waupun Correctional Institute until he retired in August 2017. He made many good friends and always had a good story to share. The people he worked with very quickly became his family away from home.
His greatest love was his family. There was nothing he would not do for them. He attended their sporting events, theater performances and was always ready to go on a waterpark adventure or a weekend getaway. Some of his favorite trips were the annual Florida family vacations. His quick wit, sarcasm and humor will never be forgotten. Dewey was an avid softball player for many years. With that came lots of weekend travels, good friends and good times. He was a legend in his own time on the diamond, and the tales could be told over and over. When the over 40 years kicked in, he found a new love – the game of golf. He was a member of Beaver Dam Country Club for several years, golfing in men’s league and a specially formed Friday night league that consisted of a handful of guys who enjoyed golf, each other’s company and a cold one after the round. He loved to golf with his family. Dewey, Jacob, Elijah, Jeff and sometimes Joyce, played many rounds of golf. He had such patience with both boys as they were learning the game, and with Jeff as they searched for his lost golf balls. His hope is that both grandsons continue to play the game he loved.
Dewey is survived by his wife, Julie of Beaver Dam; daughter, Shana (Jeff) Zuhlke of Beaver Dam; grandsons, Jacob (Teagan McCallum) and Elijah of Beaver Dam; sister-in-law, Joyce Longseth of Beaver Dam; brother, Ken (Rachel) Longseth of Beaver Dam; sister, Lois (John) Schwefel of Fox Lake; brother-in-law, Buck (Michele) Mulvaney of Fox Lake, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Anna Longseth; in-laws, Gib and Donna Mulvaney; brother, Richard;nephew, Timothy and niece, Susie Schwefel Will.
Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate the life of Dewey on Friday, April 27, 2018 at Harvest Ev. Free Church, W7444 Hwy 33, Beaver Dam from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 6:00 p.m. with Rev. Jason Wood officiating.
Dewey’s family would like to thank the UW Carbone Cancer Center, Dr. Uboha, Jenna, Stacy, Dr. Seibert and Agrace Hospice for their care and support. We would also like to thank the Waupun Correctional Institute and the guards that Dewey asked and they graciously accepted his request to serve on the Honor Guard. The kindness shown by all of you means the world to all of us.
Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family. You may send private online condolences or sign the family’s guest book at www.cstonefs.com
