Duane G. Bell

Duane G Bell, 88, of Rochester passed away peacefully at his Rochester home on Monday May 14th, 2016.Duane was born February 23, 1928 in Beaver Crossing, NE to Guy and Myrta (Crowder) Bell.He was proceeded in death by all of his 2 brothers and 6 sisters. On January 6, 1953 he married Evelyn Eschle. Duane is survived by his wife Evelyn, three children; Patricia Brueggeman of Tucson AZ, William Bell (Susan) of Rochester MN, and Kevin Bell of Golden Valley, MN.Plus six grandchildren; Amy, Alex, Megan, Ben, Chalyn, John, and four great grandchildren; Madison, Ella, Shawn, and Maxwell. After growing up in Beaver Crossing NE, Duane was honorably discharged from the Army in 1948, used the GI Bill to earn a BA from Doane College, NE in 1953 and eventually a MS from Mankato State, MN in 1961.He began his 34 years as a respected educator in Ute IA, as Assistant Principle at Ellis in Austin MN, then closing Central High, opening Willow Creek, and finally retiring from John Marshall, all in Rochester. Duane then began 28 years of retirement at his lakeshore cabin near Perham MN on Big Pine Lake. Early mornings he would walk to the end of the dock with his gear, ease in to his dinged up fish...[more]

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boat and spend hours sitting on quiet waters. Duane will be cremated without public review or church ceremony.An extended family celebration of life will be held in the near future.The Bell Family requests all gifts and tributes be sent directly to the Mayo Clinic for Parkinson's disease research. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 (507) 289-3600