Duane Ray "Coach" Teska, 92 of Abbotsford, passed away on June 26, 2026 at Our House Memory Care in Wausau, under the tender care of St. Croix Hospice.

 

A Funeral Service will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7 at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby. The Rev. James Groleau will officiate. A visitation is planned from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Military Honors, provided by the Colby VFW Post #2227, will follow the service. Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8 at Abbotsford Public Cemetery. 

 

Duane was born on May 18, 1934 in Marshfield, Wisconsin to Ray and Myrtle (Hilker) Teska. He grew up working on the family farm in Auburndale, where he learned the value of hard work. He was a proud graduate of Auburndale High School’s Class of 1952.

 

He served his country in the United States Army, completing two years of active duty. Following his honorable discharge, Duane received a bachelor’s degree in education from UW-River Falls and a master’s degree in physical education from Kansas State University.

 

Duane began his career as a physical education teacher at Owen-Withee Schools. He then joined the staff at Colby High School, where he would leave an indelible mark on the school and community. Through the years, he served as a Physical Education teacher, the school’s Athletic Director and head football coach of the Colby Hornets. He also founded the wrestling program and coached a number of other sports throughout his tenure. Duane took great pride in making classes and coaching fun for his students. He was honored for his immense impact on high school sports with an induction into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1993.

 

While teaching at Colby, Duane met Anne Hornick, who was then beginning her teaching career. The couple married in 1970 and raised their daughter Allison in the local community.

 

A lifelong athlete, Duane excelled at baseball, playing on Legion teams in Marshfield, then high school, college and for other baseball leagues. In later years, Duane loved staying in touch with friends, golfing, fishing and wintering in Arizona where he organized a weekly golf league for snowbirds.

 

Duane is survived by his wife, Anne; his daughter, Allison of Chicago, IL; three sisters: Patricia Vandehey of Marshfield, Coral Paul of Auburndale and Judy (Roger) Heeg of Marshfield; nieces, nephews, other relatives, former students and players, colleagues and friends.

 

He is preceded in death by his parents; mother- and father-in law, Anna and Charles Hornick; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Jean Teska; brothers-in-law, Frank Vandehey, Lee Paul and Chuck Hornick; and sister-in-law, Susan Hornick.