Hoven, Duane Charles died early in the morning of Christmas Eve 2020. He was born on March 29, 1931 in Zumbrota, Minnesota. He attended Zumbrota public schools, then went to St. Olaf College. He graduated as a History major in 1953. He met his wife, Ann Andersen, at St. Olaf and they were married in 1954. Immediately afterwards, they moved to St. Paul, Minn., where Duane attended Luther Seminary. He was ordained a Lutheran minister in 1957. For 36 years, he served Lutheran parishes in Dodgeville and Wausau, Wisc. as well as in Faribault, Minn. and in 1980, he and Ann moved to Rochester, Minn., where he served at Zumbro Lutheran Church. During his ministry, and in his personal life, he often focused on building bridges of understanding and peace. This included experiences close to home & around the world. In 1982, he was part of a visit to Christians in China. In 1983, he gave leadership to the first joint Lutheran / Episcopal worship in Rochester, Minn. In 1985, Duane and Ann taught in Papua New Guinea. They also were part of an official visit to the Russian Orthodox Church for their millennium in 1988. Other travel included trips to Japan, Israel, New Zealand, Iceland as well as Scandinavian and European nations, both independently and through Elderhostels. Duane was a member of the Board of Regents at St. Olaf College (1974-1981) and the Board of Directors at Luther Theological Seminary (1982-1988). He retired as Directing Pastor at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester in 1993. In retirement, he served the SE Minnesota Synod of the ELCA as Coordinator of Mission Interpretation, and in 1998 as Interim Assistant to the Synod Bishop. He also devoted time and energy to writing family histories as well as research projects for the Zumbrota Area and Minnesota Historical Societies. Duane's immediate family was a high priority. Survivors include his wife Ann, two daughters, Beth Hoven Rotto and Maren J. Dale and a son, John N. Hoven. He is also survived by sons-in-law Jon T. Rotto and Jeffrey Dale and by two very special granddaughters, Ingrid Martina Rotto and Clara Beth Dale. He had recently been diagnosed with melanoma, but had remained active and involved up until that time. He died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his children and Ann. No funeral date has yet been set.

Published on January 3, 2021