Duane Craig Wollmuth

On Monday, July 11, 2016, we suddenly and tragically
lost our beloved husband, father, son, brother, brotherin-
law, Papa and friend — Duane Wollmuth. He was
a loving husband and best friend to his wife Mary,
a compassionate and protective father to his dearest
daughters, Christine (Eric) and Mollie (Adam), a caring
and supportive son to Lorin and Delores, and a loyal
brother to Greg (Donna) and Rhonda (Tom).
Duane was born on July 26, 1955, in Garrison, N.D., to
Lorin and Delores Wollmuth. In the early 1960s, Duane
and his family moved to Beaverton, Ore. He graduated
from Sunset High School in 1973.
In 1979, Duane graduated from Oregon State University
with a degree in forestry. Duane’s love for knowledge led him to pursue two master’s
degrees – an M.S. in forest resources from the University of Minnesota in August
1982, and an MBA from the University of Washington in June 1985. Duane was
highly educated and a true and loyal ambassador of his alma maters.
Duane and Mary met in June of 1984 at The Great Outdoor American Adventure
in Kirkland, Wash. It was love at first sight — they were engaged three weeks later
and married on June 22, 1985. They welcomed their two daughters, Christine in
1988, and Mollie in 1990.
Duane fiercely loved and protected all of his family. He was so proud to be a grandpa
(Papa) to Emmylou and Karsten, and he was a second father to his sons-in-law. He
loved nothing more than having his family all together at the farm, whether it was
passing on his love for the outdoors to his daughters, showing Karsten how to ride
his tractor or teaching his sons-in-law how to shoot a bow and run the farm.
By trade, he was an executive businessman — a self-starter, innovator, philanthropist
and wine enthusiast. He had vast knowledge of the wine industry and was a
trusted and revered leader within his community and throughout the vibrant wine
industries in Oregon and Washington.
His community involvement was as significant as his business success and
accomplishments. As a volunteer in the community he co-chaired the Signage
Initiative for the region and was a committee member for the Downtown
Foundation’s Feast Walla Walla. Duane was also on the board of directors for Tourism
Walla Walla and the advisory board for Walla Walla Community College’s Center
of Enology and Viticulture. He had been a Rotarian and a board member of the
Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce. He initiated the ‘Barrel Full of Money’
drive for the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank. He worked diligently to
research the issues with the homeless at Heritage Park and spearheaded a report
accepted by the Walla Walla City Council. He and Mary formed a foundation to
help the homeless at Walla Walla Community College. These committees and
boards were simply the ones that were known. He had an intense passion for the
people in this community and he helped behind the scenes with kindness for many
others.
His true love (beside his family) was hunting and the great outdoors. Mary claimed
he had an outfit for each season and each animal that he hunted. He loved the Blue
Mountains where he hunted pheasants, quail and grouse with his labs, Buck, Joe
and Boomer. But what he truly enjoyed was planning his yearly deer and elk hunts
with his friend Dave Goude, his big game hunting partner of 15 years. Duane never
failed to fill the family freezer and feed the masses while entertaining them in his
beloved “man cave.” Endless good times were had at the Wollmuth farm and will
be cherished forever.
We will profoundly miss him but he will live on in all who had the privilege of
knowing, loving and cherishing the great man that he was. While his passing
mournfully saddens us, we are comforted knowing he is now with the Lord, keenly
watching over us and that his legacy will continue through the Walla Walla Valley
and beyond. We will miss you, Duane, until we see you again, and we will love you
now, always, and forever.
Duane is survived by his loving wife Mary Wollmuth; his two daughters and their
families – Christine Wollmuth (Eric Fox) of Charlotte, N.C., who gave Duane two
beautiful grandchildren, Karsten and Emmylou Fox, and his youngest daughter
Mollie Reakes (Adam Reakes) of London, England; his parents Lorin and Delores
Wollmuth of Beaverton, Ore.; his brother and sister-in-law Greg and Donna
Wollmuth of Kirkland, Wash.; his sister and brother-in-law Rhonda and Tom
Tucker of Beaverton, Ore.; and nephew Sean Tucker. Duane is also survived by his
brother-in-law Tony and Patrick Weller, and countless cousins.
The family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love, prayers and
support. We are grateful to the quick response and professionalism of the Walla
Walla Fire Department, Providence St. Mary Medical Center ER Department,
especially Tony Billingsley, and St. Mary’s Chaplain Sam Boettcher.
Also, thank you, Rebecca Hendricks, executive director of Walla Walla Community
Hospice, and Mary’s co-workers at Hospice, and the Walla Walla Valley Wine
Alliance. Thank you all!
Memorial Services will be held on Monday, July 18, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Marcus
Whitman Hotel & Conference Center with the Rev. Robert McCoy officiating.
Viewing and visitation will be held on Sunday, July 17, 2016, from 1 p.m. Until 5
p.m. at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Duane C. Wollmuth memorial
fund through the funeral home. Family and Friends are invited to sign the online
guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com
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