DUANE LEE SERVICES HAVE BEEN SET:
Funeral services for Duane A. Lee will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, June 9, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church, Albert Lea. The Reverend Dwight Netzer will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 PM on Thursday June 8 at the Bonnerup Funeral Chapel. Coffee and cake will be served after interment at the church. Interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, with the Albert Lea area Veteran's Organizations performing military honors.
Duane died on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society, Albert Lea. He was 84 years old.
Duane Alvin Lee was born on September 19, 1932 in Glenville, MN to Melvin and Mary (Waldo) Lee. He grew up in the Glenville and Albert Lea area. Enlisting early, Duane joined the Army National Guard at the age of 16. He would serve his country in the Korean War, and continue to serve as a member of the National Guard for a total of 34 years. Aside from the Guard, he worked at Wilson's for 32 years, Queens Stove and the Freeborn County CO-OP.
Duane was united in marriage to Lois (Thompson) in 1951. To this union, four children were born. Lois passed away in 1990. Duane was united in marriage to Marie (Oldenburg) on November 13, 1993, and have enjoyed the last 23 years together.
Duane was very proud of his service. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, and was active in the honor guard. Duane was the third longest serving serviceman in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He was also a member of the Albert Lea Clown Troop in Albert Lea, where he was a clown in many parades. Duane and his wife, Marie, loved to travel. They wintered in Arizona, Texas and Florida their entire marriage. The couple also enjoyed dancing. Woodworking, playing cards, and camping were also some of Duane's favorite things. In his early years, Duane was a part of the Falcons Motorcycle Club in Albert Lea in the 1940's and 50's. He had a great sense of humor, and could make anyone laugh. Above all, Duane loved his family, his friends, and his country.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Lois; both parents; brother in-law Harold Frerichs and a step grandson, Lee Ranta.
Duane is survived by his wife of over 23 years, Marie; children, Cathy (John) Haugerud of Northwood, Larry Lee of Albert Lea; Ron Lee of Clear Lake, IA, and Jerry (Denise) Lee of Albert Lea; grandchildren, Mike (Kim) Lee, Shannon Lee, Chris Haugerud, Kris Lee, Joshua Thomas Lee, Melissa (Dale) Marks, Joshua Dean Lee, Brandon Lee, Justin Lee, Nick, Amber and Ashley Lee, Amy (Joe) Waltz, Anna Haugerud, and Allen Haugerud; great-grandchildren, Justina Lee, Alexandria (Nick) Henderson, Michael Lee, Emily (Scott) Schaut, Kayla, Samantha and Aubry Lee, Shaun Haugerud, Emma Haugerud, Anthony, Jaysun, and Dylan Lee, Emma Lee, Jasper Neil, Ireland and River Rogers, and Harmony Journey, Lucas Lee, Autumn and Kylee Carpenter, Khiylr Lee, Tayah and Landon Lee, Mariah Lee, and Chloe and Zander Lee; 8 great-great-grandchildren; step children, Darrel, Alan (Sara), LuAnn (Mike), Lee (Jeannette), and Tom (Chris); 10 step grandchildren, 11 step great-grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Frerichs of Albert Lea; as well as many other loving relatives and friends.