Duane Donald Wagberg, age 80, of Manistee, MI, died Tuesday morning, April 14, 2015 at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee.

He was born February 5, 1935 in Kingsford, MI, son of the late Einor & Martha (Baumler) Wagberg. He was a graduate of Iron River High School with the class of 1952. He then attended Northern Michigan University and later Ferris State University, having played football at both universities. Duane married Donna M. Seilo on July 2, 1955 at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Caspian, MI. They have celebrated over 59 years of marriage together.

Duane was a deeply devoted husband, father, grandfather and football coach. He was a member of the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame. He loved to coach, loved the kids and loved the game. He toured colleges one summer with his punter and placekicker, setting up auditions with football coaches, including Bo Schembechler and Denny Stolz. Stolz offered his placekicker a scholarship on the spot, and the kicker went on to break records at Michigan State. Only one man alive while coaching at a Michigan State summer football camp, told Nick Saban to "Lighten up and enjoy coaching football."  He was a road warrior who made it possible for his young family to see the country. A favorite past time was sitting at the kitchen table, looking at the road maps of places he had been. In retirement, he drove hours to watch his granddaughters dance and run track, grandsons play football and baseball. He was a lifelong "Cheesehead" and "Sparty" fan. He got a kick out of stepping on the belly of a football player doing leg lifts, just to see if the leg lifts were doing any good. He claimed that the steering wheel always "broke" as he passed a casino, forcing him to turn into the parking lot. Duane was a Driver's Education instructor for many years, made any student who failed to come to a complete stop at a STOP sign get out of the car and apologize to the sign. He enjoyed having a snowshoe and a beer with his sons at Stu's Bar. He enjoyed the donuts and layered carrot cake from Oleson's (aka the Buffalo Store by his grandkids). He saved garbage bags full of empties for the grandkids to return to the Buffalo Store for pockets full of cash. He was fond of chauffeuring the grandkids to Candy Mountain and Kmart for treats. Whenever a doctor or nurse asked him how he felt, "With my hands," he said. He enjoyed spending time at home with Princes and Paupers He once shouted, "Give 'em hell Jack!" as President Kennedy's convertible rode by in a parade, prompting Kennedy to look his way and wave.  He offered his gas card to his gas card to his son to fill up before leaving town. He often reminded his grandkids that he couldn't wait for tomorrow and then when they asked why, "Because I get better looking every day", he'd say. He once asked his son 'how one gets to heaven?" I think you know the answer now, dad.

Duane was a member of Guardian Angels Catholic Church of Manistee.

Duane is survived by his wife, Donna M. Wagberg of Manistee; 1 daughter, Darlene Wagberg of Reed City, MI; 2 sons & daughters-in-law, Don & Christine Wagberg of Troy, MI and Dan & Jodi Wagberg of Harrison Township, MI; 6 grandchildren, Michael Guzikowski, Lucas Wagberg, Chelsea Guzikowski, Madison Wagberg, Noah Wagberg, Mackenzie Wagberg; 1 sister & brother-in-law, Dorothy William Selmo of Rockford, IL. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.

He was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Lois Perz, Beatrice Webber, Eunice Wagberg and 1 brother, Roland Wagberg.

Mass from The Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at Noon on Friday, April 17, 2015 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Manistee with Rev. John McCracken celebrant. Final interment will take place at Stambaugh Cemetery in Iron River, MI.

The family will be at the church 2 hours prior to Duane's funeral Mass on Friday to receive friends.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.