Duane Stuart Riedel

Duane Stuart Riedel, or Mr. Riedel as most of Worland knew him, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by those he loved, in Worland, Wyoming on January 21, 2023. He was 69 years old. Duane was born on April 14, 1953, in Madison, South Dakota, the third of six children born to Vernon Elmer and Doris Jean (Rollins) Riedel. Duane spent most of his youth living in the Wentworth, South Dakota area. He started working after school and weekends for Grover Vaughan, a Honey Business from Texas.

He graduated from Chester High School in Chester, South Dakota before attending Dakota State University. He excelled in academics and sports, even playing football as a freshman at the university. He was very proud of being on the 1971 Dakota State Trojan team that won the Boot Hill Bowl in Dodge City, Kansas, even getting to play in it as a freshman! He graduated with a Teaching Degree in Mathematics and Coaching. Duane worked hard all four years of college, picking up trash on the college campus, swamping out a bar in the mornings before classes and was a bouncer at a truck stop after the bars closed. He lived above the fire station and went out on calls when he was available. Duane married his high school sweetheart, Diana Lynn Campbell on May 30, 1975 in Madison, South Dakota. To this union, three sons were born, Joshua, Daniel and Matthew.

Their first year of marriage saw them moving to Florida to work for Meyer and Sons Honey Company. Duane wanted a year out of college before he began his teaching career in Selby, South Dakota. He taught high school math and coached in Selby for five years before moving to Worland, Wyoming late summer of 1981. He was hired as a middle school math teacher and coach. He retired from that teaching position and worked for Teton Distributors. Duane returned to teaching at Worland High School (and also coached) for four and one-half more years. He was awarded Master Teacher on May 27, 2019 by the Washakie County School District #1 Board of Trustees.

Duane treated everyone he met with respect always using the title Mr. or Mrs. He was in his element if he was teaching, coaching or working with the students. He never thought any job was beneath him and was always the first teacher in the building and the last to leave. If the school needed help cleaning up after events or supervising events, he would volunteer. He loved coaching, specializing in football, basketball, soccer and track. He coached his sons Joshua and Daniel in Youth Programs.

Summertime would often find him building houses, substitute teaching or working other short summer jobs. His latest summer position was working for the Worland Recreation District, which he loved. Duane was an avid big game hunter and liked to spend time in the mountains, 4-wheeling and snowmobiling. He loved playing City League Basketball and their team won seven Championships in a row. He was also very dedicated to helping friends and neighbors of his community with any labor-intensive project they needed done. Simply put, Duane was a hard-working man.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, son, Joshua, brothers, Dennis and Danny and daughter-by-fate, Vicki Herrera.

Survivors include his wife, Diana Riedel; sons, Daniel Riedel and Matthew Riedel; brothers, David (Robin) Riedel of Orlando, Florida and Dale Riedel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; sister Diann Riedel Woldt of Sioux Falls; grandchildren of the heart: Jorge (Brandy) Herrera of Denver, Colorado; Reene Herrera (Alissa Blood) of Worland; Jose Herrera of Worland; Yesenia Herrera of Oregon; David Herrera (Rylee Anderson) currently stationed in Japan with the United States Marine Corps; great-granddaughter, Addison Herrera and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 Friday, February 10, 2023 at Worland Middle School Auditorium with Pastor Tim Trippel officiating. All are welcome to attend. Another service with inurnment will take place at a later date at Graceland Cemetery in Madison, South Dakota.

Memorial donations may be made to the Duane Riedel Scholarship Fund or Washakie Hospital Foundation Cancer Fund and sent to PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.