On December 5, 2021 Duane “Wick” Norman Wickstrom passed away at Doctors Medical Center surrounded by his immediate family. He was 87 years old.
On April 14, 1934 in Hilmar, CA, Duane was born into a life filled with cows, world travel, sports, and a passion for his community, his family, and his friends. He grew up on a Jersey dairy where his love for the industry began, leading him to Cal Poly State University for a degree in Dairy Science. During his college years, Duane played both football and baseball, leading to a career of almost 80 years as a sportsman. He played senior softball until he was 80 years old, finally retiring his glove just seven years ago. In 1955, Duane and Pat were married to join each other in the pursuit of raising a family and eventually building a family business. They moved back to Hilmar in 1956 to begin their life’s work.
When he was not with the cows, Duane was heavily involved in the community having served on many state and national boards, assisted with community building projects, served as a member of the Merced County Volunteer Fire Department and as President of the Turlock Sunrise Rotary Club. Among his most notable honors, Duane was named Hilmar Citizen of the Year in 1999 and received the AJCA Master Breeder Award in 2002.
Duane and Pat spent much of their adult life traveling the world, beginning with Duane’s tenure as a council member of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau during which they visited Jersey herds and friends throughout the world. Duane’s favorite destination was Australia, but he was always most content at home on the dairy.
Duane is survived by his spouse of 66 years, Pat Wickstrom; his three children and their spouses, Scott (Vicki) Wickstrom, Susan Vierra, and Michael (Margaret) Wickstrom; his three siblings, Vernon (Mary) Wickstrom, Valerie (Don) Sorenson, and Dale (Marta) Wickstrom; his 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Vera Wickstom, and his sisters Eunice (Bill) Pace and Marlys Wickstrom.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11am on December 16, 2021 at Hilmar Covenant Church in Hilmar, CA followed by a reception at Pageo Lavender Farm in Turlock, CA. In lieu of flowers please donate on Duane’s behalf to the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California - Website: www.hemofoundation.org. Make checks payable to: Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California, Memo: Duane Wickstrom Memorial. Mailing Address: Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California, 1155-C Arnold Drive, #236, Martinez, CA 94553. Or the Cal Poly Dairy Science Program - Email: neinfalt@calpoly.edu. Make checks payable to: Cal Poly Animal Science Department, Memo: Duane Wickstrom Memorial. Mailing Address: Animal Science Department, Care of: Nicole Einfalt, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0255.
