Duane D. Kottke

Obituary

Duane Delvin Kottke was born October 12, 1941, in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, the son of Elmer and Frances (Trojan) Kottke. He was baptized as an infant at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake, and confirmed in his faith there as a youth. Duane received his education at the Buffalo Lake School, and graduated with the Class of 1959.

Upon graduation, Duane and his brother, Donald, joined their father’s milk hauling business. The brothers took over the business and established Kottke Brothers in 1961 adding freight, gravel, and later U.S. mail to the business. On November 10, 1962, Duane was united in marriage to Constance Hahn at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart. Their lives were blessed with three sons, Kurt, Kory, and Kyle.

In 1970, Duane and Donald split the family business, with Duane taking on the mail route under the authority of Kottke Trucking. Together with his wife, Connie, they pursued a dream that led from a mail route to grain hauling and eventually diversifying into the refrigerated food market. Duane loved driving truck, and is estimated to have driven 3.5 million miles throughout his career. He was able to see his sons become involved in the business, and to eventually manage the large operation. He made an uncountable number of friends while trucking.

Duane put in many hours on the road, a passion that stayed with him to the end. He had a strong faith and a generous heart. Duane was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and a member of the Buffalo Lake Lions. He was always looking for ways to be involved in giving back to the community. One of Duane and Connie’s favorite things to do each year was deliver toys from the Trucks and Toys campaign to the local counties. It brought them great joy knowing that many families would receive these gifts for Christmas.

In his later years, Duane enjoyed some of his free time traveling with Connie, his siblings, and friends. One of his favorite destinations was Branson, MO.  Closer to home, he enjoyed time at his lake cabin in Richmond, MN where he was always surrounded by family. He loved his children and grandchildren dearly.

On Friday morning, September 29, 2017, Duane passed away at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center, having reached the age of 75 years, 11 months, 17 days.  Blessed be his memory.

Duane is survived by his:

Children: Kurt Kottke and his wife, Jane, of Hector,
              Kory Kottke and his wife, Pam, of Buffalo Lake,
              Kyle Kottke and his wife, Desiree, of Buffalo Lake;

Grandchildren: Collin Kottke, Kaitlyn Kottke, Sara Kottke, Rachel Kottke, Kristi Kottke, Alexandra Kottke, Faith Kottke, Whitney Kottke, and Reagan Kottke;

Brother, Donald Kottke and his wife, Alecia, of Buffalo Lake;

Sister, Judy Hackbarth and her husband, Roger, of Maple Plain;

Brother-in-law, Gilbert Hahn and his wife, Judy, of Stewart;

Sister-in-law, Pamela Hahn of Stewart;

Special friend, Joan Doering, of Buffalo Lake;

and by many other relatives and friends.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Frances Kottke, wife Connie, his sister Gloria Woller, brother-in-law DuWayne Woller, and  his father- and mother-in-law, Harold and Doris Hahn.