Duane C Strain

Duane C. Strain, age 88, of Chatfield passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield. 

Duane was born on June 30, 1936, the 5th child of Ernest and Leona (Mosher) Strain in Elba, MN. He was raised on the family farm with his 12 siblings. He attended school in Fillmore County until the age of 9. Then, in 1945, he contracted Polio and spent time in an iron lung at St. Mary's. He was the last survivor of his ward. He met and married Arlene Baker in 1960 and they raised three daughters at their home in Predmore, MN. The couple later divorced. 

At a very young age Duane apprenticed as a drywall finisher. He was legendary in his trade, known for his ambidextrous taping and prestigious work. He was a proud, lifelong member of the IUPAT local #681 of. He trained some of the best dry waller finishers in his time and would not allow anyone to correct the way they did their work. He worked throughout the United States, being instrumental in the Mayo expansion and the work done on several military bases in the Midwest and West Coast. He was also known for his one-liners and would end a conversation with the words "point wise" if he was caught embellishing a story or not having an answer. Duane had a love for the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman in all seasons. Because of his father, who was a bootlegger, he knew all the back roads and always could provide a “better” route to get somewhere. In his younger days, Duane was an avid bowler, baseball player and stock car driver. He was even named the King of Hobby Stock Cars in Fountain City one year. Duane retired in 2002 and spent those years living in the Chatfield area. Duane was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Rochester/St. Charles. Duane adored spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was happiest when holding a baby. He was a country music fan and his favorite was "Blueberry Hill".

 Duane is survived by his three daughters Diane (Bruce) Reiman of Chatfield, Dawn Hild of Chatfield and Denise Strain of St. Charles, grandchildren Samantha (John Sumner) Reiman of Predmore, Clinton (Josi) Reiman of Rochester, Christopher (Tychelle) Reiman of Detroit, MI, Jeremy (Magda) Hild of Lublin, Poland, Joshua (Halston Shae) Hild of Seattle, WA and Al (Amanda) Strain of Sumner, IA, great-grandchildren Kyra and John, Jr. Sumner, Patrick, Cooper, Raelynn Reiman, Jackson Hild and Andrew Strain. 

He is further survived by his siblings Rosemary Birkholm of Baxter, TN, Morris (Diane Mauer) Strain of Fairfax, MN, Thomas (Rosemary) Strain of Wykoff, Mary Lynn Isbell of Winona and one sister-in-law Barbara Strain of Kasson. 

Duane was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Jay, Donald, Raymond, Eugene and Jerald Strain and sisters Judy Cronk, Lois Ries and Frances Fontenot.

 A celebration of Duane’s life will be held at a later date. Burial will take place in the Fillmore Cemetery.