By The Hays Daily News

LA CROSSE -- Duane Engel, longtime publisher of the Rush County News, died Saturday after a stroke. He was 69.

In a story published by the Rush County News, Engel was called "the guiding force" behind the weekly publication, even after his retirement in 1997.

Born Sept. 22, 1939 in Rush County, Engel began in the newspaper business in 1959 as an apprentice. He took over the newspaper 10 years later and purchased the business in 1984.

One of his first assignments after taking over as editor of the paper was coverage of the huge 1968 tornado that devastated the northern edge of La Crosse. He delivered his wife and infant son, Tim, to a relative's basement before heading out with his camera.

His wife of 47 years, Mary, son Tim and daughter, Melissa, continue to operate the business on a day-to-day basis, with son Troy also spending time at the newspaper, one of an ever-shrinking number of family-owned publications in the state and nation.

Engel's honors included having the newspaper named Business of the Year in 1997 by the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce, becoming an advisory board member of Farmers Bank & Trust in La Crosse, serving as editor for the Knights of Columbus state publication, and helping bring La Crosse Furniture Co. to the community as a member of the Rush County Industrial Committee.

Engel retired in 1997 after congestive heart failure following quadruple bypass surgery. He received a heart transplant in December 1999. He suffered a stroke on Aug. 21 and died as a result of a second stroke Saturday.

Services for Engel were Tuesday in La Crosse.