Duane Douglas Bark, 61, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, funeral arrangements have been postponed. A Celebration of Life is being planned for next summer, where friends and family can all come together safely. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bark Educational Fund, Ergo Bank, Markesan, Wisconsin.
Duane was born on July 23, 1959, to Douglas & Jill (Myers) Bark in Lancaster, Wisconsin. At age four, he and family moved to Montfort (from Brooklyn and Oregon) where he attended the Iowa-Grant school system. He graduated from Iowa-Grant in 1977. From there he attended the UW-Platteville and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in education. He furthered his education with a Master’s in Administration and an Education Special Degree.
On June 12, 1982, he married Pamela Ferris and together they raised children. Duane was also “papa” or “poppy” to six grandchildren. It was his sheer joy to spend time, play and even dance with them.
Duane spent his life as an educator, administrator, coach, leader and mentor. He has influenced and impacted countless lives in various school districts he has served. Besides spending time with family, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, sports and of course mowing his lawn. He coached many sports for 32 years including football, wrestling, softball and baseball.
Duane is survived by his wife, Pam, his children and grandchildren: Dr. Bradley (Candice), Cora, David and Reuben of Muscatine; Brian (Caitlin), Henry, Russell and Eliza of Poynette, Wisconsin; Brittany of Markesan, Wisconsin. His parents Doug and Jill Bark, his “sis” Kim (Al) White, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, and mother-in-law, Charlotte Ferris.
He was preceded in death by maternal and paternal grandparents, infant brother David, father-in-law, Dean Ferris and sister-in-law, Jolene Kaiser.
