Duane E. Miller

Duane Miller, age 72 of Watkins, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024. A Celebration of Life for Duane will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 1:30 PM at the Watkins Fire Hall. A visitation will be held Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Ertl Funeral Home, Watkins, MN. The service will be livestreamed at www.ertlfuneral.com. 

Duane Everett Miller was born on April 2, 1952, to James and Blanche Miller in Litchfield, MN. Duane grew up on a farm in rural Grove City and graduated from Grove City High School in 1970. Duane was united in marriage with Jean Ann Struthers on June 9, 1973, at Our Lady of Manannah Church. Five children were born and loved during this marriage. 

 He graduated with an Agricultural Education degree from the University of Minnesota in 1975 and taught high school agriculture in Osakis, MN. In 1977, Duane and Jean moved to Watkins, MN. As partners in Miller Products, Inc., they developed the local fertilizer plant, which later became known as Watkins Soil Service. Once semi-retired, Duane enjoyed working for local farmers and businesses operating a diverse range of equipment.

 Duane was an active member of the Watkins community and served on the Watkins Fire Department for 32 years, serving as Fire Chief for 11 years from 1987-1998. Duane was instrumental in Watkins’ beloved Kraut-n-Wurst Festival. Duane could be found grilling at the burger stand for decades and served as the Kraut-n-Wurst Parade Grand Marshall in 2021. 

 Duane was also an avid hunter and fisherman. For many years, Duane went fishing in Canada, where he was flown as part of a group to a remote fishing camp with no modern amenities for a week. Laughing and fishing were main priorities. Duane’s passion for hunting also took him to many places, from his own backyard in Minnesota to multiple safaris in Africa, including Tanzania. Duane crossed the Arctic Circle to hunt caribou in Canada with the native Inuits, elk in Colorado and mountain goats in Alaska. These hunts were adventurous, from cape buffalo stare-downs to dodging polar bears while navigating through glaciers. 

 Duane loved flying and airplanes. He obtained his pilot’s license and owned his own aircraft over the years, including a Cessna and a two-seater experimental kit plane that he built and assembled piece by piece. Duane truly was one of a kind; he was an adventurous entrepreneur, which led to making many lasting relationships. Duane was an avid reader, always having a book along on hunting trips and for leisure at home. He also enjoyed gardening, taking exceptional care of his prized rhubarb, and planted apple orchards in both of his homes in Watkins. 

 Duane began traveling to Belize more than 25 years ago. He married Ingrid Margaret Estephan on March 14, 2003, and they were blessed with a child. Duane fell in love with the people and country so deeply that he had dual citizenship and spent as much time as possible between the two countries. 

 He owned farmland, as well as islands, off the coast of Belize and enjoyed living there during the winter for the past 10 years with his significant other, Kim Hansen, on Bread and Butter Caye. He enjoyed spending his time fishing, snorkeling, and hosting many family and friends who came to experience the beauty of Belize. He loved meeting each person who visited the island and spent hours talking and sharing life stories.

Duane's grandchildren brought him immense joy. He loved holding the little babies and buying four-wheelers in all sizes, starting them out at the age of three to ride at his place. He hung swings 50 feet high in the trees so the grandkids could swing out over the hill, even hanging another at his current home. Over the years, Duane lovingly instigated many other shenanigans with all of his grandkids, including testing them for their driver’s licenses at age 10, as well as always having powdered sugar doughnuts and candy on hand to meet their nutritional needs and plenty of jokes. His grandchildren were shaped by the memories they made together.

 Duane is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Blanche Miller; Uncle Tom Miller of Fresno, CA; infant son, John; and son-in-law, John Pesta. He is survived by his significant other, Kim Hansen; children Penny Pesta (Spencer), Candice Jordt (Peter), Jay Miller (Nicole), Rosanna Dahlinger (Aaron), Ashlee Miller (Jonathan), Dillon Hansen (Brandi) and Cody Hansen; and grandchildren Abigail Kramer, Carter and Katelyn Pesta;Isabel, Caroline and Julia Jordt; Finley, Piper and Isla Miller; Ava Dahlinger; and Ellie Hansen.

Memorials are preferred to Watkins Fire Department.