Duane Robert Belter
Duane Robert Belter , Age 84
November 09, 1941
--September 11, 2026
Duane Robert Belter peacefully left this life in the early morning hours of September 11, 2026. He was born on November 9, 1941, to Gust and Lena (Griegol) Belter in Baraboo, Wisconsin. He attended Baraboo Public Schools.
Duane proudly served in the United States Army as an artilleryman, including service in Vietnam.
On June 30, 1972, Duane married Lorene Greenwood at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Baraboo. For the next 50 years, they built their life together as farmers in North Freedom. Their farm became a gathering place for family and friends, and Duane especially enjoyed having nieces, nephews, and his daughters’ friends come to the farm to help milk the cows and do chores.
Duane loved mowing the lawn, gardening, and listening to country music. He had a wonderful sense of humor and cherished being part of a large, extended family. He found joy in the simple routines of farm life and in the people who surrounded him. Wherever Lorene was, Duane wanted to be there too—whether watching sports, playing cards, or simply enjoying time together. He regularly asked his daughter, Kari, to play his favorite song, Ashokan Farewell, on the piano, which she did nearly every night.
After Duane was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he and Lorene moved into their daughter’s home in Madison. Even as life changed, Duane kept busy and found ways to stay engaged in the things he enjoyed. He could often be found sweeping the deck, entertaining the cats, Jazz and Sweetie, tending the garden, or filling the bird feeders. He loved going for rides, browsing for antiques, collecting toy tractors, and collecting unique rocks. Over time, he developed an appreciation for Madison life, including vanilla lattes from different local coffee shops and the incredible care and compassion he received from his team at the VA Hospital.
Duane is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lorene; daughters Becky (Finch) Roberts of Manchester, Michigan; Kari Belter of Madison; Kathy (Will) Underwood of North Freedom; and Vicky Belter of Madison; and grandchildren Grace (Joel) Holz of Hutchinson, Minnesota, and Bryce Underwood of Salt Lake City, Utah. He is further survived by his brother, Virgil Belter; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
In addition to his parents, Duane was preceded in death by his brothers Melvin, Marvin, Ronald and “the twins”; sisters Dorothy Hill, Ardissee Ulrich, Betty Allen, Marilyn Woodstock, and Sharon Bulgrin.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026 at St. John's Lutheran Church with Pastor Timothy Kuske officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Military Honors will be performed by the Baraboo Veterans Honor Guard at church, following the service. Private Burial will be held at Walnut Hill Cemetery.