Duane M. Lando

Duane Michael Lando, age 80, of Hartland, Wisconsin passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 23, 2026.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Annette Louise Lando; his sons David Lando (Patrick) and Dean Lando (Kristine); his cherished grandchildren, Dmitriy and Anya; his sister, Melanie Kniggie; and many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Irene Lando.

Duane was born on December 22, 1945, in West Allis, Wisconsin to Stanley John Lando and Irene Lando. Duane attended Piu XI High School in Milwaukee, where he met his wife Annette and married on April 1, 1967. Duane and Annette settled down in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and had two children, David and Dean. Duane’s job moved them to Green Bay, where they lived and made amazing lifelong friends that became family. Eventually, they made their way back to Hartland where they have lived for many years.

Duane’s career was a Claims Manager for Rural Insurance. Because he had a passion for helping others he also worked on the Hartland Fire Department as an EMT and a dispatcher. He retired at 65 years old. He enjoyed retirement, and when he wasn't fishing and traveling, he was volunteering at the Waukesha Humane Society. He was also an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts to help kids learn to fish. Duane loved to spend time outside. Among his many hobbies, he especially enjoyed gardening, traveling, fishing, and hunting. If the weather was nice, Duane could be found digging in flower beds around the house and in the beautiful gardens he planted. He was a master gardener and was part of the group that took care of the gardens at St. Joan of Arc.

Duane always loved to travel and passed that love on to David and Dean. When they were young, he would take them to Disney World to enjoy the warm Florida weather. The Landos also enjoyed traveling with the Zawacki family to Great America in Illinois and St. Louis to ride the roller coasters. It became a Father’s Day tradition that created many great times and lasting memories.

Duane and Annette enjoyed many vacations across the globe, including the Caribbean, Hawaii, and even Munich, Germany, for Oktoberfest. They enjoyed cruising to Alaska and Mexico. They loved to travel the globe to see their favorite singer and entertainer, Daniel O’Donnell. Florida was a favorite vacation destination, and Duane and Annette would spend two weeks each year in Sebastian. They would invite friends and family to join them and share all their favorite restaurants and sights. Duane was able to deep sea fish and bass fish in Florida. He proudly displayed his nice size bass from Lake Okeechobee on the wall in his home. Fishing was a passion of Duane's. He had his own bass boat that he would take on various lakes throughout Wisconsin. If he wasn't fishing with his great friend Greg, he was teaching his grandkids, Anya and Dmitriy, how to fish. He also enjoyed time at his trailer home on a lake in the Shawano area where he would fish, relax, and spend time with his family and friends. If you didn't find him with a fishing pole in his hand, it must have been deer season. Each year he would hunt the land with his friend Butch. We are not sure if he actually hunted or spent time having cocktails and hanging out with his friends.

A highlight of Duane’s life was spending time with his grandkids. He was so proud of Anya and Dmitriy, and they all enjoyed the times they had together.

Duane lived a busy and happy life. He is now at peace, enjoying whatever he would like with no restrictions. Not gone from our memory, not gone from our love, but gone to his resting place above.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on October 10, 2026, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 120 Nashotah Rd., Nashotah, WI 53058. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers. Please make a donation to the Waukesha Humane Society https://hawspets.org/.