Duane Elroy Wigern

Obituary

Duane Elroy Wigern was born in the Kiester Hospital on October 30, 1941, in Kiester, Minnesota. Duane was the son of Roy and Hazel (Rupp) Wigern. Duane was baptized and confirmed in the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Kiester, where he served as an usher in his youth. In 1959, Duane graduated from Kiester High School, graduating as a member of the National Honor Society, and as the Senior Class Treasurer. He was a member of the FFA, holding the FFA Chapter secretary position, and winner of the Chapter Star Farmer Award. While in High School, he was also a member of the Junior/Senior class play cast.

Soon after graduation, Duane started working for Wells Concrete Products in Wells, Minnesota, working on the erection crew and was also a plant carpenter. Duane met the love of his life, Gloria Giese, in September of 1963. On December 14, 1963, Duane and Gloria were united in marriage at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells, Minnesota.

After working for Wells Concrete, Duane volunteered service in the United States Army in February of 1966. He received basic and advanced training in carpentry at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He then spent 2 years overseas at Stuttgart, West Germany as an Army Pay Specialist. Duane attained the rank of SP5, E-5, and was appointed as Pay Record Section Chief. Duane was transferred to the US Army Training Center at Fort Bragg in North Carolina as Chief of Trainee Pay Records. Duane served 3 years and received an Honorable Discharge in January of 1969.

After moving to Glencoe in 1969, Duane worked for the next 18 years at Glencoe Manufacturing as the traffic and shipping supervisor. Following that, Duane worked for Lester’s Building Systems for some time and then Plato Woodwork Inc. He worked as a Team Lead and Department manager there until his retirement in 2004. After 2 years of retirement, Duane went back to Plato Woodwork Inc. and continued working there until his 2^nd retirement in 2009.

Through the years, Duane was a member of the Biscay City Council and the treasurer for the City of Biscay. Duane also served on the St. John’s Church council in Biscay and was the financial secretary there. Duane assisted in youth activities through the church as well, coaching the church youth softball team. Duane was a charter member, vice president, and president of the Glencoe Blue Devils Wrestling Club. Duane was also a member of the local American Legion and VFW-Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Through the years, Duane enjoyed camping, tending to his gardens, and snowmobiling.  Duane spent much of his free time in the garage working on and building several woodworking projects. He enjoyed building and selling wishing wells, lawn chairs, and picnic tables. Duane loved playing cards. He played his favorite, Buck Euchre, whenever he could with family and friends. Duane greatly enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in their many sporting events. Time spent with his family was the time he cherished most of all.

Duane passed away on Monday, December 4, 2023, at his home surrounded by family at the age of 82. Blessed be his memory.

Duane is survived by his
Wife, Gloria Wigern of Biscay, Minnesota;
Children, Mark Wigern and his wife, Andrea, Angela Brandel and her husband, Jeff, Kyle Wigern and his wife, Holly, Kimberly Martin and her husband, Mike;
Grandchildren, Dylan Wigern, Hannah Wigern, Kaitlyn Uecker and her fiancé, Ryan Liimatta, Jaden Uecker, Darrin Uecker, Makayla Wigern, Braden Wigern, Hailey Martin, Mason Martin, Connor Martin;
Step-Grandchildren, Trent Brandel, Torre Brandel;
Brother, Roger Wigern and his wife, Rose;
Nieces, Nephews, other Relatives, and Friends.

Duane was preceded in death by his Father and Mother, Roy and Hazel Wigern; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, John and Marcella Giese; Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Donnie Giese and his wife, Lois, Eugene Mulcahy and his wife, Delores, and JoAnn Giese; Nephew, Craig Giese; Grandson born sleeping, Austin Michael Martin.