Duane Arlen Willert, 79, of Ellendale, passed away Thursday, September 25, 2014.
Duane was born January 5, 1935 in Lemond Township, Minnesota, the son of Herman and Louise (Utpadel) Willert. He graduated from Ellendale High School in 1953. Duane joined in the Navy during the late 1950s. On April 24, 1957 he married Eleanor Anderson at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden. He was a farmer for most of his life but after farming he worked for Jostens, Tube Co. and Cybex until he retired in 1997. Duane loved animals, old time music, tractors, going to auctions and visiting with others.
He is survived by his children, Deb Willert of Ellendale, Doug (Jill Golhofer) Willert of Ellendale; extended family, Heath (Jenny) Golhofer and Jennie Golhofer and his sister Doris Krause.He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Willert in 2007; sons Daniel in 2013 and Dean in 1996 and his sister Arlene Braaten.
Visitation was at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Sunday, September 28, 2014 from 3 to 5 p.m. Funeral services were held Monday, September 29, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church with a visitation an hour before. The Reverend Cary Larson officiated Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery.