Duane Vance Christenson, 82, of Freeborn, died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, at his home. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. today at the Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ Church in Freeborn with the Rev. John Bromeland officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Freeborn Cemetery following the service, with military honors by the Freeborn American Legion Post. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Duane V. Christenson was born Dec. 7, 1929, the son of Clarence and Inga (Gilbertson) Christenson in Freeborn County. Duane graduated from Freeborn High School in 1948 and was inducted into the U.S. Army April 11, 1951. He was transferred to the Army Reserve on March 19, 1953, and served as an active reserve with the 42nd engineer construction battalion at Fort Richardson, Alaska. He was honorably discharged with a rank of corporal on Feb. 20, 1957. Duane attended and graduated from the Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis as a certified electrician. He was a member of the Freeborn American Legion and Freeborn Congregational Church. Duane loved farming and farmed the family’s 100 year old farm.

Duane is survived by brother Cleon Christenson of Freeborn; sister Betty (Dean) Brunstad of Grants Pass, Ore.; nieces: Dawn Brunstad, Julie Schultz and Cindy Cadotte; nephews: Kevin Schultz, Jody Schultz, Timothy Schultz, Jon Christenson and Craig Christenson.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Vincent; sisters: Iona “LaVae” (Jerry) Schultz and Joyce (Lindsey) Pack; niece Susan Pack; and sister-in-law Eleanor Christenson.

Memorials preferred to the Freeborn Congregational Church. Duane will be remembered as a very quiet, kind man and will be deeply missed by his family.