Duane Willaby, 1942-2014

Published 10:12 am Friday, April 11, 2014

Memorial services for Duane R. Willaby, 71, of Albert Lea, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Joel Vano will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Lakewood Cemetery.

Duane Willaby

Duane Willaby

Willaby died Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at his home in Albert Lea.

Duane was born Oct. 4, 1942, in Winnebago, the son of Clarence Sr. and Anna (Heffele) Willaby. He attended public school in Janesville. On Nov. 17, 1963, he was united in marriage to Diane Schwarz in Albert Lea.

Email newsletter signup

Duane was employed early in life farming for Warren Oldfather near Emmons. He then worked for over 18 years for Kiester Feed Service in Kiester, and later worked for Wilson & Co. in Albert Lea. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and in his younger years served as an usher.

Duane enjoyed old cars and attending area car shows. He also enjoyed collecting toy cars, refinishing furniture and playing cards with his wife, Diane. The special times were always with his children and grandchildren.

Duane is survived by his wife, Diane, of Albert Lea; daughters Angela (Lyle) Hanson of Albert Lea and Amy (Matt) Ketchum of Burnsville; grandchildren Lani and Noah Hanson of Albert Lea; brother, Dennis (Mary) Willaby of Rochester; sisters Florence (Elard) Olson of Glenville and Evelyn Willaby and friend Bruce Perry of Albert Lea; sisters-in-law Sonia Willaby of Glenville, Karen Willaby of Emmons, Caroline Attig of Albert Lea and Donna (Jeff) Jones of Chaska; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, William and Lorene Schwarz; and brothers Clarence Jr., Alvin and David Willaby.