Duane D. Leitch – Apple Valley, MN

Duane D. Leitch, 93, of Apple Valley, MN died Friday, May 10, 2024 at his residence with family by his side. Duane was born December 31, 1930 at home in Sverdrup Township to the late Stafford and Lillian (Kolstad) Leitch III. He was the youngest of the family and the only son with older sisters, Constance, Marlys and Joyce. He was baptized and confirmed at Rindal Lutheran Church in Underwood. Duane attended rural country school in Sverdrup Township before graduating from Underwood High School in 1948. Upon graduation from high school, Duane enlisted with the United States Air Force, where he was stationed in Japan. Shortly after his Honorable Discharge, Duane met and married Rondina (Benson). To this union came two children, Michael and Patricia. Sadly, Ronnie passed away just four years later. He later met and married Janice (Anderson) and had four more children, Terry, Kristine, Linda and Cindy. They lived and farmed on North Turtle Lake just north of Underwood. Duane also worked for the National Farmers Organization for six years. In 1979, Duane undertook a career change selling the farm and moving to Roch-ester, MN to start Leiders Employment Service. While his marriage to Janice did not survive, the business was a success for 25 years. Upon retirement, Duane moved into Summerhill of Apple Valley, MN. Here at 78, he met and married his final love, Joyce (Maki). They happily celebrated 188 monthly anniversaries! Joyce, her children and their families remain a blessing our family will long treasure. Duane is survived by his sons, Michael (Dawn) Leitch of Brainerd and Terry (Denise) Leitch of Fergus Falls; daughters, Patricia Leitch of Rosemount, Kristine Leitch of Enfield, CT, Linda (Jim) Peters of Plymouth, MA and Cindy (Dave) Bramwell of Rio Verde, AZ; grandchildren, M’Erin Leitch, Maraigh (Brian) Mills, Michael (Taylor) Leitch, Chad (Kim) Leit-ch, Joshua Leitch, Shawn Leitch, Trisha (Michael) La-Morte, Conner Peters, Sydney Peters and Jonathan Peters; great-grandchildren, Stafford, Henry, James, Allison, Jackson, Belle, Aubrey, Kylee, Emmett and Eloise. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stafford and Lillian; sisters, Connie Bock, Marlys Beckman and Joyce (Borgos) Boldt; and grandson, Corey Leitch. In lieu of flowers, donations in Duane D. Leitch’s name should be made to: Minneapolis VA Medical Center: www.pay.gov/publi c/form/start/50797090/; or Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota: davmn.org/ how-to-support-us/donate-money/. Celebration of Life is Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 11-3 p.m. for Summerhill residents; 3-5 p.m. for local friends and relatives in the Great Room of Summerhill of Apple Valley, 14055 Granite Avenue, Apple Valley, MN 55124. Visitation and Graveside Service Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 1-3 p.m. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, 301 E. Washington Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537. Friends and relatives are asked to meet directly at 4 p.m. for burial with full military honors at the Rindal Cemetery, 25096-25136 320th Avenue, Underwood, MN 56586.