Duane Allen Kittleson (DAK)

FENNIMORE – Duane Allen Kittleson (DAK), 81, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2026, in Fennimore, Wisconsin.

Duane was born on May 29, 1945, in Madison, Wisconsin to Sanford and Nina Kittleson. He was raised in Mt. Vernon, graduated from Mt. Horeb High School with the Class of 1963, and began a life defined by hard work and a drive to succeed.

On October 15, 1965, Duane married the love of his life, Linda Bruflat in Mt. Horeb, WI. Together they shared a devoted marriage built on love, partnership, and family.

In his early years, Duane trained and became a journeyman sheet metal worker in Madison. After gaining experience in the trade, he founded Barneveld Heating while also operating a beef farm in Barneveld with Linda. These ventures reflected his entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic, qualities that would remain with him throughout his life. In 1981, Duane moved the family to Florida and would travel back to Wisconsin for business. He earned his real estate broker license and also trained as an Auctioneer and formed Florida Auctioneer Associates in the 1980's. In 1987 the family moved back to Wisconsin settling in Grant County on a farm near Mt. Hope. In 1999, Duane and Linda moved to Fennimore and he called that home for the remainder of his life.

The late 1970s brought what would grow into Duane's life calling—developing affordable housing for elderly and low-income families. Over the following decades, his work expanded throughout Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois, positively impacting thousands of residents.

That vision led to the founding of DAK Management Co., Inc. in 1986. Under Duane's leadership, the company grew from a single idea into an organization devoted to the development, ownership, and management of affordable housing. While he took great pride in the buildings themselves, he was most proud of the opportunities they created and the lives they touched.

Duane pursued many interests in life, he began playing guitar as a young teenager and that passion was continued throughout his life. He also earned his pilot's license as a young man and enjoyed flying his red Cessna Cardinal for many years.

Duane enjoyed cars and spent his later years building a collection of his favorites that included classics and muscle cars he could show, drive, and "just sit and look at".

For many years Duane and Linda enjoyed camping, antiquing, and wintering at their house in St. Augustine, Florida until his health issues prevented travel.

Though Duane's life has come to a close, his legacy lives on in the communities he built, the family he cherished, and the many lives he touched through his determination and unwavering belief that everyone deserves a place to call home.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Sanford and Nina Kittleson. His father, Sanford, passed away in 1952 when Duane was just 6 years old. Losing his father at such a young age had a profound impact on Duane, and throughout his life he often reflected on that loss and the influence it had on him. His mother, Nina, passed away in 2001. He was also preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Amos and Irene Bruflat.

Duane is survived by his beloved wife of more than 60 years, Linda Kittleson; his son, Ty Kittleson (Kerrie); his daughter, Kari Addison (Chad); his grandchildren, Brooke Winkler (Chett), Emma Waller (Jakob), Chace Addison, and Tanner Kittleson; new great grandchild, Valerie Winkler; along with many extended family members, dear friends, employees, and business associates.