Duane Whaley

Duane Whaley, age 85, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Friday, July 26, 2019 at Sanford Wheaton Hospital.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Michael Breach officiating. Organist will be Lana Sand with special music by Alyssa Lewis.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 1st from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at St. John Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue Friday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Shane Jefferson, Michael Whaley, James Cottingham, Daniel Whaley, Sean Lewis, Philip Nelson, Perren Cottingham and Lee Westby. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Duane’s other grandchildren.

Duane Ronald Whaley was born at home in Wheaton, MN on August 31, 1933, the youngest of four boys, born to Floyd and Hanna (Jacobsen) Whaley. Duane had a wonderful childhood. As a young boy he enjoyed roller skating, fishing, and riding his pet horse. As he got older he was better known as Wayne or Rooster and also known for his love of Westerns and ability to quote lines from almost any of them. He enjoyed spending time with family (many trips to the lake and Deer Town in Park Rapids, MN), bowling, go-kart racing, hunting (in Montana and Wyoming) and shaking dice with friends at the Country Corner Café. Wayne was a hard worker (working into his 80’s) He loved operating the backhoe, and if you asked him, he could dig a dime out of the dirt. One of his favorite places to visit was The Black Hills in South Dakota. Wayne married the love of his life, Irene (Stoick) on August 30, 1952, and has shared 66 years together. He was dedicated to his family, his work, and the community. Duane was a man of integrity; he was honest, loving, and kind. He will remain in our hearts forever.

Duane is survived by his wife Irene of Wheaton; his children: Curtis Whaley of Wheaton, MN; Darwin Whaley (Carol) of St. Michael, MN; Kathy Cottingham (Carey) of Sioux Falls, SD; Kristi Nelson (Larry) of Rapid City, SD; Myrna Westby (Curtis) of Lead, SD; Cindy Whaley of Lincroft, NJ; Marcy Lewis (Dave) of Rosholt, SD; and Annette Roldan (Honorary Daughter) of Freehold, NJ; twenty-two grandchildren; thirty- three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; his brother Donald Whaley of Wheaton, MN; sister-in-law Evie Kurth (Whaley) of Alexandria, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary extended family: Juanita Roldan and Joseph Roldan, and Keith and Paulette Schmitz family.

Duane was preceded in death by his dad Floyd Whaley; step-mother Abby Whaley; mother Hanna Hills (Jacobsen); step-dad Dan Hills; two brothers: Robert and Arlis (Bud) Whaley; father-in-law Ben Stoick; mother-in-law Helene Stoick; daughter-in-law Becky Whaley (White); granddaughter Karilyn Cottingham; great-grandson Logan Whaley; and Honorary grandson Christopher Schmitz.