Mr. Duane A. Wiedman

Duane A. Wiedman, formerly of Gainesville, GA and lately of Alpharetta, GA, died Saturday, April 18, 2015 just shy of his 86th birthday. He was born in Hopkins, MN on June 5, 1929 and was a 1947 graduate of Hopkins High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years holding several positions and stationed at various bases throughout the country. After retiring from the service he worked in the U.S. Government for 18 years retiring as Finance Director of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, which later became the Department of Health and Human Services. Following his retirement from the government he worked in private industry first in the technology sector for Burroughs, Sogitec, and Westinghouse Data Systems, later as a tax accountant and a hotel manager. He met his wife, the former Betty Geraldine Shipp of Hartselle, AL, while stationed at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, AL where they worked in the same office. They were married in Decatur, AL, September 22, 1951. They raised their two children primarily in the Washington DC area, and later lived in Daytona Beach, FL and Cumming, GA. Mr. Wiedman was known for his lively sense of humor, his fun-loving story telling, his knack of befriending total strangers, and his good nature. He was passionate about family, the Washington Redskins, 5 o’clock cocktails, fishing, The Alabama Crimson Tide, and Atlanta Braves baseball. He was a member of the Cumming First United Methodist Church and NARF (National Association of Retired Federal Employees). Mr. Wiedman is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty “Jeri” Wiedman; two children, David R. (Hollie) Wiedman of Milton, GA and Diana W. (Cliff) Dalrymple of New Market, VA; six grandchildren, Matthew D. Wilder, Jessica S. Wilder, Allison M. Wilder, Heather N. Wiedman, Brittany D. Wiedman and Bradley D. Wiedman. Also, five sisters, Evon Culshaw of Hopkins, MN, Lois Strauder (Robert) of Tulsa, OK, Judy Horton of Marina Del Ray, CA, Mary Smasal (William) of Eden Prairie, MN, and Nancy MacLennan (Larry) of Winona, MN. He is predeceased by his parents, Ray and Frances Wiedman and a brother, Cliff Wiedman of Chanhassen, MN, and a sister, Janice Shimml of Excelsior, MN. A memorial service will be held at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Rd, Roswell, GA with a private viewing for family preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Mr. Wiedman can be made to the National Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org, Embracing Hospice of Cumming at 8013 Majors Rd, Cumming, GA 30041, or a charity of your choosing.

Mr. Duane A. Wiedman

June 5, 1929 - April 18, 2015