Duane Engler, 75, Hayfield

Published 10:55 am Thursday, February 14, 2013

Duane Engler, 75, passed away on Feb. 12, 2013, Field Crest Care Center in Hayfield, Minn.

Duane Engler

Duane was born in Claremont, Minn., to Herbert & Frieda (Baedke) Engler on April 30, 1937. He was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Claremont, and served on the church council. Duane graduated from Claremont High School in 1955. He joined the Army on Jan. 3, 1957, and was discharged on Dec. 16, 1958, as a Specialist 4th Class from Ft. Benning, Ga. Duane was united in marriage to Margaret Blatti on March 2, 1965, and she died in 1980. Oct. 21, 1989, he married Linda Anderson and she died April 7, 2011.

After graduation, and before going into the service, Duane drove trucks. From 1960 to 1963, he worked at Rayette in St. Paul, Minn., as a supervisor, until the company moved to New York. Duane returned to Claremont and became manager of the Claremont Municipal Liquor Store from 1963-1975. From 1975-1980, he worked on road construction, and from 1982-1983 he drove truck and semi until illness and disability ended his working days in 1993. Duane did volunteer work delivering church tapes and groceries to shut-ins and taking people to clinic appointments. He worked many years delivering Meals on Wheels and working at the local library.

Duane was a member of the Owatonna Eagles, American Legion Post No. 330, and Trinity Lutheran Church. He served on several boards.

Duane enjoyed watching the grandchildren play ball, traveling, watching all sports and playing games on his computer. He played baseball to his mid 30’s and played with local teams including Claremont, Dodge Center and Owatonna. He went to regional tournaments with Kasson, and to state tournaments with Owatonna and Waseca. He called them his Highway 14 Teams.

Duane is survived by his step children, A.J. (Shelly) Anderson, Hayfield, Minn.; Bev (Mick) O’Connor, Austin; Samantha (Jamie) Shaw, Hayward, Wis.; and one brother, Daniel (Karen) Engler, Kasson, Minn.; five grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, infant brother John and brother Marlen; and two sisters, Marcy and Betty.

The funeral service for Duane Kenneth Engler will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 104 First St. SE in Hayfield with the Rev. Paul Hauschild officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery with military honors by the Hayfield American Legion Rothie Post No. 330. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at the Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 501 Second St. NW in Hayfield and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.