Duane Arness

Duane Arthur Arness, 81, of Maple Lake, near Mentor, MN, died Wednesday afternoon, April 23, 2014, at the Burn Center in Regions Hospital, Saint Paul, MN, with loving family members at his side. He had been injured in an outdoor accident at his home on Tuesday morning the 22nd. Duane was born to Arthur and Clara (Larson) Arness on January 25, 1933, on their farm in Roome Township, near Fisher, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at the Fisher Lutheran Church, attended a nearby country school, and graduated from Fisher High School in 1951. While in high school Duane was active in music, theater, and played on the varsity basketball team. He attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks to major in accounting. His studies were interrupted when he entered the U.S. Army on September 25, 1953. Duane served overseas in Verdun, France, where he was a member of the military band that performed for royalty and military leaders throughout Europe. For his service to his country Duane was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, and received his honorable discharge on August 30, 1955. He returned home to resume his studies at UND. He became a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. In 1957 he earned a BS degree in Business Administration and began working for the Arthur Anderson Company in Minneapolis. In 1958, he became the financial manager for Toro Company in Windom. On August 23, 1958 Duane was united in marriage to Marilyn Espe at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston. The couple made their home in Windom. Duane soon became financial manager for Peter J. Schweitzer (later known as Kimberly-Clark), and remained with the company until his retirement in 1993. Their marriage was blessed by the births of three children: LeAnn, Richard, and Allison. While in Windom the family was active in the American Lutheran Church. Duane was involved in local musical theater productions, various choral groups and served on the school board for eleven years. In 1985, Duane's job was transferred to Grand Forks. They made their new home in East Grand Forks and were members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. In 1996 the couple moved to Maple Lake. They remodeled the family lake home to accommodate their growing family. Duane and Marilyn were active members of Faith Lutheran Church. For several years Duane served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine. Music was Duane's passion throughout his life. He played the tuba from his high school days, up to as recently as several weeks ago. He loved to play with the 9th District American Legion Band, not only for the music but for the brotherhood and friendships he shared. He even enjoyed playing in the "Arness band", made from 3 generations of the family. They gathered every other Christmas to play carols that may have been hard on the ear but filled the family with joy and lots of laughter. Duane's greatest musical gift was his voice. He will always be remembered for his beautiful singing voice and he used his instrument to bless many many people. His singing career began at the young age of 7years, as a wedding soloist, until his last beautiful solo at church on Palm Sunday, only 10 days prior to his death. Duane was fortunate to have his own personal accompanist for 56 years. Marilyn played for him for most of his performances. He sang in many choirs over the years. He remained an active member of the Greater Crookston Area Mens Chorus until his death. Duane shared the gift of his voice at every family gathering and milestone, including weddings, baptisms and funerals, but he was just as pleased to sing 'Happy Birthday". He treasured singing duets with Jacky, and Derek joined them to trio. His voice was further enriched when 3 of his "girls", Allison, Natalie and Amy played their flutes. Duane sang and Allison played often at her church when he visited Wisconsin. Travel played a large part in Duane's life. He enjoyed multiple trips overseas, especially to Norway. He generously took several family members with him as travel companions, but especially enjoyed a Norway trip taken with both of his girls. During recent years, Duane's travels weren't as distant, but he loved to visit family and frequently drove to Wisconsin or Fargo to watch his grandchildren in their activities. When at home, he enjoyed hours of reading about history and travel. He frequently met his "coffee clutch" in the morning to start his day. The Arness men are hunters and Duane learned everything he knew from his son Richard. The annual deer camp rivaled the major holidays. Duane's life philosophy of putting others before himself was even evident in the woods when he was more thrilled to watch his comrades fill their tag than to fill his own. Duane was a kind and generous man. He was honest and sincere, with a wonderful sense of humor. He was a gentle soul who loved life on this earth, but knew this was only the beginning of his journey. Duane loved his family dearly, and together with Marilyn, instilled in his children a faith strong enough to see them through all of life's trials. He touched many lives and will be very dearly missed. Duane leaves Marilyn, his beloved wife and best friend of fifty-five years; their three children: LeAnn (Brad) Wages of Fargo, ND, Richard (Amy) Arness, of Fargo, Allison (Peter) Kurth of New London, WI, and an exchange student fourth child, Roy (Ann-Merete) Bremnes, MD, of Tromso, Norway; seven grandchildren: Tyler and Alex Pearson, Jacky and Derek Arness, Natalie, Ryan, and Brayden Kurth, and Eirik, Erlend, Emil and Elise Bremnes; two sisters-in-law, Georgine Arness of Crookston, MN and Carolyn "Dyno" Selmanson of Union Lake, near Erskine, MN; a nephew, Craig (Rehka) Arness, a niece, Heather Stromsodt; and other relatives. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Clara Arness; a brother, Alton Arness, and a son-in-law, Duane Pearson. May God richly bless the memory of Duane Arthur Arness. The funeral service celebrating the life of Duane Arness will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston. Visitation will be from 5-7PM Friday at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, with a 7PM prayer service and time of sharing, and visitation also at the church for one hour prior to the funeral. Military Honors will be provided by Theodore Stalemo American Legion Post 242 of Fisher, MN, the Crookston Veterans Council, and the Minnesota National Guard Honors Unite of Moorhead, MN. Interment will be in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Visitation
Friday, May 2, 2014
Service
Saturday, May 3, 2014

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