Duane M. Pilcher, 86
Blue Earth — Duane M. Pilcher, age 86, of Blue Earth, died Feb. 22, 2010, at United Hospital, in Blue Earth. Funeral services were held Feb. 26, 2010 at Faith Lutheran Brethren Church, in Blue Earth. The Rev. Brent Walker officiated. Burial was in East Chain Lutheran Cemetery, East Chain. Patton Funeral Home and Cremation Service was in charge of arrangements.
Duane was born Dec. 25, 1923, in East Chain, the son of F. Ernest and L. Mable (Nelson) Pilcher. He was raised and educated in East Chain where he was a 1942 graduate of East Chain High School. He worked on the family farm after high school and was married to Darlene R. Hall on Dec. 28, 1945 at East Chain Lutheran Church. Duane stopped farming in 1961 and worked for Pilot Grove Lumber Company. He later began working for Schwen’s Ice Cream in Blue Earth. In 1967 the couple moved to Blue Earth. When Schwen’s Ice Cream closed, Duane began working with his son Steven at Pilcher Construction, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Brethren Church where he served on the trustee and elder boards. Duane loved music, whether it be singing in one of his quartets or listening to his family perform. He also enjoyed gardening, woodworking, fishing and especially the numerous musical performances and sporting events of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Duane is survived by his wife, Darlene Pilcher, of Blue Earth; his daughter, Pamela (Frank) Lawatsch, of Benson; sons, Virgil (Susan) Pilcher, of Waseca, Steven (Janine) Pilcher, of Blue Earth and Marc (Diane) Pilcher, of Faribault; two brothers-in-law, Ronnie (Val) Hall, and Dennis (Connie) Hall; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Twilah Pedersen; grandson, Luke Pilcher; mother and father-in-law, Ray and Gladys Hall; sister-in-law, Wanda Larson, and her husband, Jim.
Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com