Dr. Duane Lund
Dr. Duane Lund, 90, of Staples, went to be with the Lord on December 2, 2016 at the Lakewood Health System, in Staples.
A celebration of Duane’s life will be Saturday, Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Staples with lunch to follow. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.
Arrangements are with the Brenny Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service of Staples.
Duane was born March 23, 1926, in Brainerd to Richard and Ruth (Anderson) Lund. He 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, a MA and PhD from the University of Minnesota and post-graduate work from Columbia University, New York City. Professionally he began as a high school teacher and guidance counselor in Staples. He spent five years on the staff of U.S. Senator Edward Thye in Washington, D.C., serving as chief of staff.
Duane returned to Staples, serving one year as high school principal and went on to serve 25 years as superintendent of Staples schools. Duane served on many 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, was a member of: the Executive Board of the Minnesota Historical Society, the Advisory Committee for the Boundary Waters and the People to People Missions to Cuba and China.
After Duane retired as superintendent in Staples, he served 10 years as a senior consultant to the Blandin Foundation, located in Grand Rapids.
Duane had many hobbies but devoted most of his time to oil painting and writing, authoring 45 books. In 1992, he published “Our Historic Upper Mississippi,” and was selected by The Minnesota Association of Media Specialist (including librarians) as the state’s Author of the Year.
Duane loved the outdoors and loved to share his passion of fishing and hunting with family and friends. Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake and Alaska were special in his heart. He enjoyed traveling, cooking and his wild game feeds. In recent years, he looked forward to getting “the report” from friends over a cup of coffee. Duane was proud to call Staples home and spoke about the importance of supporting the local community and giving back to rural Minnesota. He was a member of Staples United Methodist Church. Duane was a long time member of the Staples Rotary Club.
He is survived by family; along with Jerry Hayenga, Bruce Lund, Eric Peterson and Chad Longbella.
Memorials may be given to Staples United Methodist Church, The Pulse Christian Radio Station of Pequot Lakes or charity of choice.
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