Duane Nelson of Plummer, MN age 78 died Sunday, November 1, 2015 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND with his loving family at his side. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 6, 2015 at the River Of Life Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at the River Of Life Church. Duane Leroy Nelson was born on December 11, 1936 in Plummer, MN the son of Julius and Emma (Olson) Nelson. He attended Pershing High School in Plummer, MN graduating in 1955. After high school, Duane went to Milwaukee, WI and worked in a factory as a machinist for 2 years. He then returned to Minnesota. He enlisted in the United States Army in December of 1957 serving overseas in Germany for two years and was Honorably Discharged in 1960. He then started working for the Soo Line Railroad. On June 4, 1966, Duane was united in marriage to Connie Olson in Lake Bronson, MN. They lived in Thief River Falls, MN and to this union two sons, Chad and Stuart and one daughter, Holly were born. In 1972 the family moved to a country home near Plummer, MN. Duane was employed at Detroiter Mobile Homes for 1 ½ years, at Bob Swanson's Dairy Farm for 3 ½ years and at River Valley Enterprises for 3 ½ years where he helped take care of 180,000 chickens. He started again for the Soo Line Railroad in 1974, working until retiring in 2003. Duane enjoyed bowling, playing pool, playing cards, reading, drawing, board games, and watching and playing all kinds of sports. He also enjoyed watching his grandsons and granddaughter in their sports activities. Carpentry was Duane's way of giving to others. He did plumbing, wiring, shingling, painting, and mostly enjoyed building. Throughout the years, Duane remodeled many homes and churches in the area. He worked for family, friends and neighbors too numerous to count. He was a part of so many projects, Duane definitely left his mark. Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Connie of Plummer, MN; son, Chad (Janelle) Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN; daughter, Holly (Derek) Druse of Thief River Falls, MN; son, Stuart (RaeAnn) Nelson of Hugo, MN; grandchildren, Holden O'Neill, Wyatt Michael and Ellie Carolynn Nelson; nephew, Michael Nelson; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; and five brothers: Willard, George, James, Donald, and Vernon Nelson.