Duane Fredrick Sylwester

Obituary

Duane’s journey on earth began on March 8, 1938, in Gaylord, Minnesota.  His parents were Melvin and Amalia “Molly” (Jaeger) Sylwester. Duane was born at home and because his parents didn’t have much money, the doctor was paid with 30 quarts of canned wild blueberries.  He was baptized as an infant on March 27, 1938, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord and later was confirmed in his faith on April 13, 1952, at the same church.  He was a very busy young man growing up.  After riding his sister’s bike down the courthouse steps and breaking it in half, as punishment he had to pick out his own stick for a spanking.  That wasn’t adventurous enough, so Duane started climbing the water tower across the street from his school.  That cost him several days after classes in the principal’s office which made Duane very unhappy because he wanted to go home to play.  Since he had this newfound skill be climbed the windmill at his grandparents’ farm also and ended up with a pretty good spanking from Grandma Sophie.  One day Duane, his brother and some visiting cousins got in BIG trouble with Grandpa David at the farm. The kids “stole” some homemade caramels from the porch that Grandma had put there to cool and gave several pieces to the horse. Because the horse’s jaw wasn’t strong enough to chew them he couldn’t get his mouth open to eat the caramels.  That required a call to the vet so the vet could help the horse.  In May of 1956 the Gaylord High School finally gave him his diploma and sent him on his way.  He furthered his education by attending a trade school in Minneapolis for two years and earning an Electronics Technician Degree. 

After various small jobs, Duane worked at Telex in Glencoe for 12 years and while there met his future wife, Karen.  Because Duane was handicapped she had to back up until he caught her.  They were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe on July 11, 1970.  Duane said it would be a cold day in July before he got married, so he wanted the bridesmaids to wear winter boots.  It ended up in the high 90’s that day and it didn’t snow.  After Telex, Duane worked at Starkey Labs in Glencoe for another 25 years, retiring 12 years ago.  Duane and Karen made their home in Glencoe.  Their marriage was blessed with two children, Chad and Leah. Duane and Karen shared over 47 years of marriage.

Duane had a terrific sense of humor.  He managed to get sunshine and laughter in every day of his life.  If someone would say he had a good sense of humor, he responded by laughing and saying “I know, I married Karen, didn’t I?”  His favorite pastimes were doing crossword puzzles, watching television and fishing.  Duane’s time with his grandchildren was golden.  They loved getting rides on his electric wheel chair. 

Duane left this earth on Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Glencoe Regional Health Services Hospice care at the age of 79 years, 8 months and 17 days. Blessed be his memory.

Duane is survived by his:
Wife, Karen Sylwester, of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Chad Sylwester and his wife, Connie, of St. Bonifacius, MN,
Leah Burns and her husband, Charlie, of Elk River, MN;
Grandchildren; Benjamin, Brielle and Nathan Burns;
Sister, Beverly Ersfeld and her husband, Ron, of Farmington, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and friends.

Duane is preceded in death by his Parents, Melvin and Amalia “Molly” Sylwester; Brother, Gerald “Jerry” Sylwester.