Duane Carlson

Duane Dennis Carlson, 84, of Saint James, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Mankato.

A visitation will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James and will continue on Monday from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Saint James. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Saint James. A private family interment will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Darfur at a later date.

Duane was born on July 10, 1942, in Darfur, Minnesota to Melvin and Rosetta Carlson. He grew up in Darfur and graduated from Comfrey High School in 1961. He spent time helping out at the Mel-Rose Café, owned and operated by his parents.

He joined the United States Army in 1963. During his service, he spent a year stationed in Germany. In 1974, he joined the Minnesota National Guard, retiring in 1992 with 20 years of military service.

Duane married Sara Askevold on July 27, 1968, at the First Presbyterian Church in Saint James, where they made their home. They had one son, Stein.

The majority of his working career was spent at Scherr-Tumico in Saint James, and Crysteel Mfg. in Lake Crystal, where he retired from in 2007.

In his free time, Duane enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family. He loved working with youth, teaching gun safety, archery, hunting skills, and trapshooting. He looked forward to his annual hunting trips to Blackduck, Minnesota and Ontario, Wisconsin. Throughout his life, he owned many motorcycles, and loved riding. After his retirement, he enjoyed being a member of the Honor Guard for military funerals.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Rosetta Carlson; his parents-in-law, Philip and Lucile Askevold; his stepfather, Jack Petersen; his brother, Virgil Carlson; an infant sister, Vivian Carlson; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Ken Baier, Jean Carlson, and Abe Askevold.

Duane is survived by his wife, Sara Carlson; his son, Stein (Kristie) Carlson; and granddaughter, Alyssa Carlson. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Baier; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Carol Askevold, Jon (Pam) Askevold, Roger (Missy) Askevold, and Joan Askevold; as well as his aunts, Doris Sawatzky and Anita Carlson; and many nieces and nephews.