Dr. Duane Lund

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Lund, Dr. Duane age 90, of Staples went to be with the Lord on December 2, 2016. He was born in Brainerd, March 23, 1926 to Richard and Ruth (Anderson) Lund. Duane had a love for the outdoors and loved to share his passion of fishing and hunting with family and friends. Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake and Alaska held a special spot in his heart. Duane also enjoyed traveling, cooking and was well-known for his wild game feeds for family and friends. In recent years, he relished getting "the report" from friends over a cup of coffee. Duane was proud to call Staples home and often spoke about the importance of supporting the local community and giving back to rural Minnesota. Duane was a member of Staples United Methodist Church and loved the Lord. Duane was a product of the Brainerd School System and was a member of the Brainerd High School Hall of Fame. Duane had a BA Degree from Macalester College and a MA and PhD from the University of Minnesota, with post-graduate work from Columbia University, New York City. Professionally he began as a high school teacher and guidance counselor in the high school in Staples, Minnesota. He then spent five years on the staff of U.S. Senator Edward Thye in Washington, D.C., serving as chief of staff. Duane then returned to education, serving one year as high school principal in Staples and then 25 years as superintendent of schools. During that time, he served on numerous committees including the National Advisory Council for Vocational Education, Vice President's appointee to the White House Conference on Education, Consultant to the U.S. House of Representatives and the Washington, D.C. Schools for Vocational Education, Member of the Executive Board of the Minnesota Historical Society, Member of the Advisory Committee for the Boundary Waters, and Member of the People to People Missions to Cuba and China. After retiring from the superinten-dency in Staples, he served as a senior consultant to the Blandin Foundation of Grand Rapids, Minnesota for 10 years. Duane had several hobbies but devoted the most time to oil painting and writing, authoring 45 books. In 1992, when he published "Our Historic Upper Mississippi," The Minnesota Association of Media Specialist (including librarians) selected Duane as that state's Author of the Year. Duane's relatives along with Jerry Hayenga, Bruce Lund, Eric Peterson and Chad Longbella would like to thank the Lakewood Health System Care Center staff for their incredible care for Duane and making it a place Duane fondly called "home". We would like to also thank Duane's many friends who visited on a regular basis, he truly looked forward to each visit. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, December 10 at 11am at Staples United Methodist Church with a lunch to follow. Visitation will be 1-hour prior to the service at Staples United Methodist Church. Memorials may be given to Staples United Methodist Church, The Pulse Christian Radio Station of Pequot Lakes or charity of choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service of Staples.

Published on December 4, 2016