Duane Earl Monson, 79, died Friday, December 27, 2024 at Samaritan Bethany, Rochester, MN.
Duane was born on February 2, 1945 to Earl and Marie (Passer) Monson in Austin, MN. He attended Austin High School and lived in Austin until 2010. Duane married Rosemary Beckel on February 2, 1964 in Austin, MN. Duane was the Austin School District Custodian. He was a member of Zumbro Valley Lutheran Church.
Duane adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved his faith, family, and friends, taking road trips with Rosemary, his pets, old cars, old tractors, and spending time on the farms with family.
Duane is survived by his son, Tim (Judy) Monson of Wabasha, MN; siblings, Marlene Monson of Austin, MN and Michael (Sheryl) Monson of Austin, MN; 2 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren.
Duane is preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary; parents, Earl and Marie Monson; and sister, Elaine Ziebell.
A memorial service will be at 11am on Monday, January 6, 2025 at Rochester Cremation Services, 1605 Civic Center Drive NW, Rochester with Pastor Shelley Cunningham officiating. A visitation and light lunch will follow the service from 11:30am-1:30pm at Rochester Cremation Services.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Duane may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
I worked with Duane at Riverland Community College for several years. It was always a pleasure to say hi or hello or chat a bit, because he was a fun and cheerful person. I’ll share a small story that Duane shared with me. During one late evening, no one around, quiet, not well lit and within a sea of red carpet; Duane was vacuuming an office in the admin area. He stepped in to turn on the light switch. But he also stepped on something squishy in the dark, at the same time the “thing” (Gardner snake) struck Duane in the leg. SCARY , to say the least but later also comical. I’ll miss you Duane, you are a good guy.
I lived across the street from your parents in the yellow house. I loved them more than you will ever know. When I divorced and left the hood I lost track of them. They loved you kids so much. Talk about you all the time.
Hoping for healing prayers and lots of love. I will never forget them. Rose and Dew REST IN PEACE. Love from Diane(Wagner)Miland
I have so many good memories of my cousin Duane, especially back in the 1960’s when Duane would come to our farm with his exciting new motorcycles. He loved tellling me all about each one. And then one day he drove a Volkswagen dune buggy to our farm, and boy did we have fun with that. There were many times we would ride together down in the woods on our farm. Duane even told me I could drive the dune buggy myself when he wasn’t present. We had many fun adventures together.
– Les Monson
Our prayers go out to the families of Duane. He was a very special guy. He is free of pain and with his lord now. God Bless.