Wilfred Durand

Wilfred Henry Durand, 79, of rural Spooner and Shell Lake, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 6, 2011, after a long illness. Wilfred was born on August 26, 1931 in the Town of Scott, Burnett County, to Napoleon and Louise (Tetrault) Durand. He married Jean DesJardins on January 22, 1949 and the couple had three children. He later married Judith Johnson Hovey on October 18, 1974 and adopted her daughter, Denise. Wilfred owned and operated several small businesses in the Spooner area. He started Dur-A-Built Manufacturing in Scott Township, partnering with his cousin, Jack Durand. They moved the business into Spooner, where he would eventually sell out to Jack. Wilfred went into business selling Chrysler and Dodge vehicles at Durand and Randall Motors with Jim Randall. Later, he decided to try his hand at selling and repairing snowmobiles and Will's Arctic Sales was opened on the south side of town. In 1979, Wilfred and Judy sold the Arctic Cat business and Wilfred semi-retired to a small hobby farm in rural Shell Lake, where he was well known for his hobby of restoring 8N Ford tractors. He also built several duplexes for rental units and kept himself busy in his shop building furniture and tinkering on engines. He enjoyed stonework and visiting with friends. He loved to play the accordion and tell stories of his many practical jokes and adventures. Wilfred was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Clemency Pratt, Gertrude Quirk, Rachelle Stellrecht, Lucille Peck and two infants. He is survived by his wife, Judith; two sons, Dan (Debbie) of Spooner and Duane (Therese) of Shell Lake; two daughters, Debi (Ronald) Huebner and Denise (Steve) Swan, both of Spooner; 13 grandchildren, Nichole (Jay) Meister of Spooner, Rhona (Bobby) Kemp of Sarona, Lindsey (Adam) Kemp of Shell Lake, Michael (Christy) of Vancouver, Washington, Kerrie (Aaron) Gamboni of Spooner, Ben Slater of Ramsey, Minnesota, Rachel Slater of Duluth, Minnesota, Shannon (Ryley) Blair of Lowry, Minnesota, Wade Huebner of Eau Claire, Jessi (Troy) Anderson of Shell Lake, Mallory of Shell Lake, Derek and Karly Swan of Spooner; 12 great-granchildren; one brother, Edward; four sisters, Dorothy Chamberlain, Bernadine Harris, Elsie Stellrecht and Irene Harris; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm at Scalzo-Taylor Family Funeral Home, Spooner. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm at the funeral home with Pastor Carolyn Mowchan officiating. Music will be provided by granddaughter, Kerrie Gamboni. Interment will follow at Spooner Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Mike Durand, Derek Swan, Ben Slater, Ryley Blair, Wade Huebner and Aaron Gamboni.