Duane S. Stenzel, 63

Wells — Duane Simon Stenzel, age 63, of Wells, died Dec. 12, 2009, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian burial was Dec. 17, at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. Rev. Eugene Stenzel officiated with burial at St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Wells. Military honors will be provided by the Wells Color Guard.

Duane Simon Stenzel was born January 25, 1946 in Albert Lea Hospital, the son of Simon and Loretta (Kalis) Stenzel. He attended country school for 6 months, followed by St. Casimir School and graduated from Wells High School. He worked at Wells Concrete Products, Pre-Stress Division. In 1970, he began farming while working for Pre-Stress.

On Sept. 5, 1970, he was united in marriage to Mary Kay Gorman in Guckeen.

Duane was on the St. Casimir School Board for 12 years. He joined the local Co-op Elevator Board in 1979. In 1993 he was elected to the Cenex Harvest States board, and was chair of the Oilseed Refined Board. He was part of the national board ACDI/VOCA. For his work he traveled the world. He went to Brazil, India, Netherlands, Germany and Hawaii. Duane was a member of St. Casimir Catholic Church. He hunted deer, and every year he took a vacation with his family in August to Lake of the Woods to fish. He enjoyed watching Laurel and Hardy and Little Rascals movies. He loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Duane is survived by his wife Mary Kay of Wells, children, Jeff (Lori) Stenzel of Wells, Dave (Kate) Stenzel of Owatonna, Christine (Travis) Ebner of Cameron, WI, grandchildren, Adam, Allyson, Jordan, Jacob, Alex, Andrew, Cole, Sawyer, and Baby Ebner who is due in April, sister, Janice (Lowell) Thompson of Wells, brothers, Alvin (Bonnie) Stenzel of Albert Lea, Fr. Eugene Stenzel of Wells, Myron (Kathy) Stenzel of Wells and Thomas (Linda) Stenzel of Rochester, sisters-in-law, Carolyn (Darrel) Berkeland and Gerry Ziegler, brother-in-law, Ed Schmig and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-laws, Lowell Zebro and Bob Ziegler, sister-in-law, Joanne Schmig, mother and father-in-law, Marie and George Gorman.

Memorials preferred to St. Casimir Church and School.