Duane Wernett, 69

Aug. 18, 1950 —

Jan. 1, 2020

 

ROCHESTER - Duane Alfred Wernett, age 69 of Rochester, Minn., died peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020 at his residence with his family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Duane requested the family hold a private service at a later date. In lieu of contributions, he would have wanted friends to spend quality time with their family and friends.

Duane was born on Aug. 18, 1950 in Decorah, Iowa to Charles and Dorothy (Wilbur) Wernett. He grew up in Cresco, Iowa and lived most of his adult life in Minneapolis, Minn. Duane served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He held various jobs throughout the years. 

While he never married or had any children, Duane loved his family. He made it a priority to spend as much time with them as possible. He also had many hobbies, including lifting weights, biking, drawing, painting, sculpting, fishing, playing chess and other board games, cooking and working on cars. He could beat anyone at dominoes or Progressive Rummy. 

Duane was given incredible gifts of both kidney and liver transplants from the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He cared for those organ donor gifts by stressing the importance of physical fitness, working out up to three hours every day.

Duane always urged his family and friends to take good care of themselves. He had a quick wit and great sense of humor that he shared with his family and friends. He was an excellent listener and provided insightful advice, especially to his nieces after their parents passed away.

Those left to honor Duane’s memory are his two nieces, Michelle (Jeff) Brunsen of Clive, Iowa and Denise (Leonard) Jefferson of St. Paul, Minn. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Cherri Gram and Sharon Johnson; brothers, Perry Mailey Jr., Frank Wernett and David Wernett; nephew, Troy Gram; and great-nephew, DeMar Richardson.