Duane Arthur Long

DUANE ARTHUR LONG February 25, 1930 – May 19, 2019                   Duane Arthur Long, age 89, of Park Rapids, MN formerly of Arden Hills, MN, peacefully passed into eternal glory on Sunday, May 19, 2019 in the comfort and beauty of his home, surrounded by his loved ones following suffering a series of strokes.                 Duane was born on February 25, 1930 to Clair and Agnes (Bruening) Long on the family farm located in Arago Township north of Park Rapids, MN.  He attended the Arago Country School near his home.  As a young man, Duane worked on his parent’s farm for a number of years.  In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Army where he bravely served his country in the Korean War.  On March 5, 1952, Duane was united in marriage to Dorothy Evelyn Herlitz at the Army Base at Ft. Leonardwood, MO.  This union was blessed with 7 children: Judy, Gary, Debbie, Randy, Ronny, Brian and Mindy.  Following his honorable discharge, the young couple made their home in Minneapolis where Duane gained employment working at the Dunn Steel Company as a mechanic and welder for a number of years.  Later, Duane joined the MacQueen Equipment Company where he worked as the Service Manager for a number of years.  Later he became a partner in the company and worked in the office as the project estimator and managed the parts department.  He retired from the company in 1995, when they moved to a beautiful log home they built on a large tract of land in Clover Township, north of Park Rapids which he had purchased when he was just 16 years old.  Duane loved spending time out on his property and especially enjoyed the family times spent out on Cedar Lake.  He and Dorothy loved to travel and enjoyed visiting destinations such as: The Holy Lands, Egypt, Rome, Germany and Austria.  They also made two trips to Hawaii and enjoyed visiting Alaska and Mexico.  They also traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada.  Even during his retirement, Duane worked from morning to night out in his shop repairing, welding and fabricating farm and logging equipment for family, neighbors and friends and making items for his dearly loved Dorothy.  In addition, Duane designed and built a one man sawmill that was hydraulically operated and allowed him to saw many thousands of board feet of rough sawn lumber, something he greatly enjoyed.  Duane was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Two Inlets where he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 and the Park Rapids Antique Tractor Club. Above all, Duane will be remembered as a man who loved his family, God and country.                 He will be lovingly remembered by his six children: Judy (Bill) Eagan of Lino Lakes, MN, Gary Long of Park Rapids, Debbie (Scott) Anderson of Vadnais Hts., MN, Ronny Long of Blaine, MN, Brian (Lori) Long of Arden Hills, MN and Mindy (Scot) Peloquin of Andover, MN; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Marvin (Dorothy) Long of Park Rapids; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.                 Duane was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy in 2014; his son, Randy in 1983; his brother Vern and a sister, Ada who died as a toddler.                 Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Thursday, May 23, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Two Inlets with Father Tom Friedl officiating. The organist will be Mary Schmitz and the funeral choir will lead the mass music.  The casket bearers will be his children.  The Star Of the North Marine Corps League will provide full military honors.  Burial will be made at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery.  Following the service the St. Mary’s church family will host a luncheon for all.  Visitation will be held Thursday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service.  To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com