Dr. Duane Johnson

Dr. Duane Johnson, age 83 of Milbank died on March 2, 2018, at the Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Milbank.  Rev. Thom Bowsher will officiate and burial will be in the Summit City Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 5 – 7 p.m. and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Duane A. Johnson was born on January 22, 1935, at Montrose, SD.  He was the son of William and Lena (Schnep) Johnson.  He attended school in Summit, SD.  Following his high school graduation,  Duane worked for the Milwaukee Railroad.  He served in the United States Army from 1956-1962.    He attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, and received his bachelor's and master's degrees.  Duane taught school at Ashley High School in Ashley, ND, and at Watertown High School in Watertown, SD.   He attended the University of South Dakota and achieved a Doctorate of Education.   Duane was a professor at UW Stout in Menomonie, WI, for 36 years.

Duane was united in marriage with Lucille L. Jensen on August 11, 1956.  Duane and Lucille were blessed with a daughter, Lorraine.  The family made their home in Pittsburg, PA; Aberdeen, SD; Ashley, ND; Watertown, SD; Menomonie, WI; and Milbank, SD. He was a faithful member of Central United Methodist Church in Milbank.  Duane cherished his family and enjoyed family gatherings, playing cards, and telling stories and jokes.  He loved to tinker in his garage, repairing cars, bicycles, and other treasures he collected.  He loved taking walks with his loving wife and spending time with his family.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lucille of Milbank, SD; daughter and son-in-law, Lorraine and Lee Noel of Des Moines, IA; two grandchildren: Robyn (Matt) Winner of Johnston, IA; and Ryan (Ashley) Borre of Chaska, MN; four great-grandchildren: Taryn Winner, Kyler Winner, Cullen Winner, and Skylar Borre; one sister: Gladys Lumby; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: Melvin Johnson, Loren Johnson, Kenneth Johnson, Dale Johnson, and Merle Johnson; two sisters: Virginia Venenga and Lucy Mason.