Duane Elmer Reese

Duane Elmer Reese, 80, of Forest City, died Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN.
A gathering of friends and family will be held from 5-8 P.M. Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the Forest City United Methodist Church, with a time of remembrance at 6:00 P.M. The family requests casual attire and an informal meal will be served.
Private family inurnment will be held in Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City on Sunday. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Duane E. Reese memorial fund in care of the family.
Duane E. Reese was born February 11, 1934 in rural Madison Township, Hancock County, the son of Elmer and Emily (Cunningham) Reese. He attended rural schools and graduated from Forest City High School in 1951. He was married to Verna Hansen on June 1, 1952 at the Methodist Church in Forest City, to this union, three children were born, Karen, Donald and Linda. Duane was a life-long farmer; he had a passion for farming and was still helping on the farm up till the time of his passing. He was a member of the Hancock County Pork Producers, Past-President of the Farmers Coop in Forest City, Madison Township Trustee, was a member of the Hancock County Ag Museum and also enjoyed coffee with his Hardees group in the mornings. Duane enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting, hiking, traveling and drove twice to Alaska. He hiked 9 of the 14,000 elevation peaks in Colorado. He had his pilot's license for many years and loved to fly. He collected cast iron Griswolds and Red Wing crocks. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities and sporting events. He also attended the United Methodist Church in Forest City with his wife Verna.
Duane enjoyed the time he spent with his family and friends and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Verna Reese of Forest City; children, Karen Reese-Elliott and husband Scott of Clive, IA, Donald Reese and wife Susan of Forest City and Linda Kieffer and husband Jim of Spencer, IA; grandchildren, Grace and Coner Elliott, Jessica Buckmeier and husband Jamie, Allison Kirchhoff and husband Jason, David Reese and wife Alicia, Josh Kieffer and Jackie Kieffer; great-grandchildren, Brianna, Blaze and Blakely Buckmeier, Sam, Matthew, and Abby Kirchhoff and Sophia and Mckenna Reese; sister, Glennice Trail and husband Ronald, sister-in-law, Gail Reese and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Marvin Reese.