Duane Lee, 1932-2017

Published 12:03 am Tuesday, May 30, 2017

The updated funeral arrangements have been set. Funeral services for Duane A. Lee will be at 1 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Dwight Netzer will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Bonnerup Funeral Service chapel. Coffee and cake will be served after interment at the church. Interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, with the Albert Lea area veterans organizations performing military honors.

Duane died Thursday, May 25, 2017, at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea. He was 84.

Duane Alvin Lee was born Sept. 19, 1932 in Glenville to Melvin and Mary (Waldo) Lee. He grew up in the Glenville and Albert Lea areas. 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.

Duane Lee

Aside from the Guard, he worked at Wilson & Co. 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 Nov. 13, 1993, and 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 some of Duane’s favorite things. In his early years, Duane was a part of the Falcons Motorcycle Club in Albert Lea in the 1940s and ’50s. 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 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; eight great-great-grandchildren; stepchildren 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.