Service Information
Duane George Messner, age 82, of Gaylord, Minnesota, passed away on February 25, 2021, at Ridgeview Center in Waconia from heart failure.
Private Family Funeral Service will be held at the Egesdal Funeral Home in Gaylord, with interment in the Winthrop Cemetery.
The family would prefer memorials that will be shared with organizations that were near and dear to Duane.
Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Obituary
Duane was born on May 9, 1938, to George and Esther (Miller) Messner and was baptized in the Apostolic Christian Faith. He grew up on a family farm West of Gaylord with his parents and older brother LeRoy. He graduated from Gaylord High School in 1957. Duane served seven years in the 2nd Armored Division Fort Hood, Texas, where he specialized in the Nike Universal Missile System as well as the Army Reserves. On December 13, 1964, he married Mona Kintzi and they resided in Gaylord all of their married life.
Preceding “retirement” Duane was a successful business partner at Eastside Ford for 19 years and a parts manager for Poquette Chevrolet for 20 years prior to that. Secondary jobs included driving bus for the school district, owning a 10,000-bird chicken barn and painting/restoring implement machinery and vehicles. In retirement he enjoyed woodworking, restoring, and cruising around in his 51 Chevy Coupe, driving his Helix scooter and most recently his golf cart. He also had a love of flying model airplanes and kites, taking annual trips to Maine, morning coffee with the boys, weekly “Ruby Tuesday” dinners with friends and most of all spending time with his family.
Duane loved his community and volunteering was important to him. Over the years he was actively involved with numerous organizations in Gaylord; Jaycees, Sertoma, City Charter Commission, Pedestrian Walkway Committee, Baseball Board, Park and Recreation Board, Board of Directors for the original Gaylord pool in 1962, and the Gaylord Area Aquatic Task Force and Board. He used his talent and expertise in painting by volunteering his time to preserve the cannons on display at the Gaylord City Park and the soldiers at the Veteran’s Walking Path of Honor in Arlington. Duane was proud to be the recipient of the Sertoma Service to Mankind Club Award and the Sertoma Service to Mankind District Award which acknowledged his time and community contributions.
Duane was a giver and pleaser who thrived on doing what was right and helping those who were in need. If he couldn’t help personally, he usually had a tool or two to borrow to help get the job done. The family apologizes to anyone he may have approached or accused of not returning something (you know who are). It is believed that his sons lost too many of his screwdrivers and punches by pounding them into the ground as kids. His daughters on the other hand always returned his tools in better condition than when they received them.
Duane is survived by his:
wife, Mona;
daughter, Sara (Keith) Kuhn, son, Dan (Karen) Messner, daughter, Kari (Russ) Terwey and son, Jeff (Jeni) Messner;
eleven grandchildren, Jeremy and Preston Kuhn, Lukas, Ellie, Matt and Nick Messner, Jack and Sam Terwey and Ava, Henry and Ruby Messner;
three nephews, three nieces, many great nieces, and great nephews as well as a great-great nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Esther Messner; brother, LeRoy Messner; father-in-law and mother-in-law; sister and brother-in-law and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
So many people were near and dear to Duane and our family. It would have meant a lot to our family to be able to gather and share the memories we all have but we recognize and acknowledge with today’s challenges it is not safe to do so. We have chosen to have a private visitation and funeral at this time. The family intends to hold a celebration of life service in the near future as today’s challenges permit. We find comfort in knowing and believing he is at peace, but there will always be a hole in our hearts.
Chad Muchow says
Sorry for your loss Dan / Karen and family. You all know what a gentle man he was. What a loss for Gaylord! He gave so much to this community. God bless your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Muchow’s.
Tim Sweeney says
Duane was one the kindest and caring people I ever knew. Mona has always been there for everyone and anyone. You only need to look at their children to see those genes pasted onto them. I will miss my uncle terribly but I believe now he stay busy in peace. I vow to stay in touch with Mona and all of my cousins much more frequently. To a Great man you showed us all how to live. Miss you Dewey.
Kacey Tollefson says
Mona, and Family. Thank you for thinking of us this morning at a time when you were so deeply saddened. We will miss Duane, he was always such a joy to be around. We really love our jobs at the pharmacy because of customers like him. This is the hardest part, losing customers who brighten your day. Already missing our bs sessions and making him laugh. I had a mint bar after lunch today in his honor. ????? Prayers of comfort for you all at this time.
Myrtle R Gieseke says
Mona and family so sorry for your loss. Duane always had that smile and always had something to comment. Know the Lord will be of comfort for you all. Love to you and yours,
Vern and Myrtle Gieseke
Donna Wolter says
Mona and Famiy
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Duane was a gentle and caring man. God Bless and Keep You.
Don and Donna Wolter
Lori Turbett says
My deepest sympathies to all of you!
Van Owen Messner says
So sorry to hear about Duane Mona. All the years growing up with you and the kids. Second family to us. Can not thank you enough for everything you did for mom and dad and us. If you need anything please call Cathy Scott or myself. Luv you. Van 612-770-4043 Scott is 651-260-0390
Wanda & Ken Opitz says
Mona & Family,
So sorry for your loss.
elroy schwirtz says
duane worked very hard to restore our military statues in our veterans walking path of honor here in arlington and for witch we are grateful. I personally had the honor of serving with duane for many years in the army reserve in winthrop mn. R.I.P. good soldier!! blackiee
Kristine Danzinger says
Duane’s big heart finally was too big for this world. What a wonderful review of his life of working hard, loving big and always being of service to others. I am so grateful to have known and loved him and to have all of you Messners as part of my family. Your goodness, caring and humor make this world a better place. You are all in my prayers and I am grateful Duane can now be at peace. Love, ~Kristine
Dawn Kratzke says
Mona and Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. Duane was such a joy to serve on the Park Board with. I don’t think there was anything in Gaylord that he didn’t know how to fix. Sending prayers of comfort to you all during this difficult time.
Kevin and Karen Spaude says
Our deepest sympathy to you, Mona, and your family. I’m so glad I met Duane through purchasing his puzzle boards. He was such a nice person to talk with. God’s blessings to you.
Marlys schauer says
So sorry for your loss. He was a very nice man. Prayers and my sympathy to all of his family
Keith Doetkott says
Very kind and great man who served are country and family and community thanks
Tom and Karyn says
Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate the life of your husband,dad,grandfather and friend. I think of Duane and what I see is his warm smile and the twinkle in his eye. So sorry for his loss.
Shawn Losure says
Our heartfelt sympathies to you all. What a great guy who will surely be missed!
Craig and Shawn
Dianne L Ziesmer says
Mona and family, I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by so many. And I will miss my favorite Ford man and his hugs.
Eunice Rucks says
Mona and family
So sorry for your loss. He was a great person and will be missed by many.
Jerry Messner says
My sympathy to the Duane Messner family. I have many, many find memories of Duane. He was one of my best cousins and friends growing up, and we spent many good times together at his farm, and mine. Perhaps my most favorite memory is traveling with him and his folks to Portland Oregon….well I will stop there.
See you in Heaven, my friend.
Jerry Messner
Sharon Sickmann says
Deepest sympathy to the Messner family. Duane was a great support during the farm crisis.
God’s Blessings knowing that memories will give you comfort.
Larry & Sharon Sickmann
Mac, Christy Zachow and Family says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Duane was a good man. A person you looked up to in a community. A leader. A person you needed for a community to work. A person you could always rely on. Very grateful to have had him and his family in my and my family’s life.
Carrie Trcka says
Mona and family.
I was sorry to hear about Duane’s passing. My deepest condolences to you all.
Cindy and Dale Johnson says
Mona & Family,
So sorry for your loss. Duane was truly special.
Menbe Molla says
My deepest condolences to the family. May he rest in peace in the Beautiful Heavens!!
Larry Llunder says
Mona & Family
Over the years I have accumulated several friends in Gaylord and I would rank Duane as one of the very best. I will treasure the memory of several occasions shared with him, always a fun guy.
Tom Henkemeyer says
Dan & Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Dan, give me a call sometime so we can get caught up.
Tom
Tom Frauendienst (from Henderson) says
Mona & Family, so sorry to hear about Duane’s passing. I got to know Duane when he was at Eastside Ford and he always made a person feel special. I always enjoyed seeing him at a baseball game or at a car cruise and he always had time to visit. Please accept my deepest sympathy, my thoughts and prayers are with you. He will truly be missed.
Kathy Messerli says
I am so sorry for your loss! I will treasure my conversations with Duane.