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Duane Anthony DeCroock was born to Art & Delain (Lauwagie) DeCroock on May 27, 1943, in Pipestone, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, Minnesota. He was raised on a farm near Sherman, South Dakota, and attended Sunnyscrest Country School until age 10 when the family moved to a farm south of Jasper, Minnesota. He graduated from Jasper High School in 1961. He attended Airline school in Minneapolis, MInnesota and worked in Chicago, Illinois for a short time. He then moved back to Jasper and was employed by Home Light and Power for one year. In 1962, he became employed at the Jasper Farmers Coop Elevator. On April 24, 1965, he married Phyllis Fjellanger at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, and they had three children. In 1975, he was named Assistant Manager of the Elevator. On June 16, 1990, he married Kaye Barry Backer in Jasper.
Duane passed away surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Ava's Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 82. Duane was active in the Jasper community as a fireman for 23 years and a member of the Jasper Lions Club. He loved to play cards, shoot pool, and socialize with his friends. You could also find him with the catering crew from the Glass House. After retirement he enjoyed helping on the farm; you just couldn't keep him away from the grain and elevators!
He is lovingly remembered by his family, wife, Kaye of Sioux Falls, SD; children, Brent (Tammy) DeCroock of Farmington, MN, Darren DeCroock of Taylors, SC, and Cherie (Bryce) Kindt of Garretson, SD; step-children, Kevin (Georgia)Backer of Brandon, SD, Keith (Diane) Backer of Brandon, SD and Kurt (Kristan) Backer of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Maureen Barry; two nieces, Susan Cowles & Patty Winter; 17 grandchildren & six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Janice Stordahl; and his grandparents.
Blessed be his memory!
Memorials may be directed to Ava's House.
710 SE 4th St. PO Box 351, Pipestone, MN 56164
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.


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