His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon, with burial in the Trinity Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation will be at the church Monday from noon until the 7:30 p.m. prayer service. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home of Avon is in charge of arrangements.

Duane C. Rucktaeschel, son of Clarence and Evelyn (Pickett) Rucktaeschel, was born April 17, 1938 at Wabasso, MN. He died unexpectedly Friday, August 3, 2012 at the Wagner Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner. Duane attained the age of 74 years, three months and 18 days.

Duane attended grade school through the eighth grade at Wabasso Public School and then worked for area farmers. He married Evelyn Nelson on January 12, 1957 at Milroy, MN. Three children were born to this union: Rocky, Roxan and Richie.

Duane worked at a gas station in Redwood Falls, MN and then began farming on his own in 1959. He later returned to working for farmers in the Milroy and Garvin, MN area. He also worked at a feed mill in Amiret, MN, Downing Box in Fridley, MN, and Federal Cartridge in Anoka, MN. In 1969, Duane moved to Elbow Lake, MN and worked at Coop as a tire man. He became a carpenter for Lesters, which later transferred him to Webster in 1978. He worked for CCS in Columbus, NE from 1986 to 2001. Duane "retired" for a short time and then worked for Honomichl Design, Castle Construction and Brandt Construction. For 2010 to the present, he was employed at the Wagner Community School as a custodian.

Duane married Mary Ann Seiner on August 11, 1989 at Tyndall. Two daughters were born to this union: Kala and Kari. He was looking so forward to walking his daughter Kala down the aisle later this month.

Duane was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, North American Hunting Club and the NRA. He will be remembered for his enjoyment of hunting, fishing, gardening vegetables and his over-use of duct tape. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Every morning he enjoyed having coffee and cookies with his dogs, Chloe and Ella.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Mary Ann of Avon; five children: Kala and fiance' Joe Cuka and Kari of Avon; Rocky and wife Melissa of Tyndall; Roxan Christensen and Wes; and Richie, all of Webster; eight grandchildren: Ryan Rucktaeschel, Cristy Brandt, Cory Kirkvold, Raja Brandt, Josh Rucktaeschel, Jenny Spooner, Michael Christensen and Connor Rucktaeschel; 11 great grandchildren; a brother Kenneth of Morris, MN; sister Geraldine Kruse and husband Delbert of Stillwater, MN; several nieces and nephews; his first wife Evelyn Dean and husband Harrison of Webster; and many friends.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents; brother Gary; sister Bernadine Stanek, parents-in-law; and a nephew.