Duane Gordon Verness

Age 91 of Saint Paul, Minnesota
Loving Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa
“Have a Good Life, God Bless”

Duane was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 10, 1925, the son of Mary Margaret (nee Wellman) and Logan Hislop Verness. When he was younger, many friends and family knew him as “Gordy.” He attended Johnson High School where he was a star athlete in football and track. He proudly represented Johnson High School at the State Track Meet before he graduated. Upon graduation, Duane enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He courageously served in the first wave on Guam and 6 other landings in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal. Duane met the love of his life, Lorraine Kuehn, and the two were married at St. Luke’s Catholic Church on September 11, 1947. They were lifelong residents of St. Paul and raised their five children there. He and Lorraine were very proud of their involvement with the original St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and were official founding members of the church. Duane continued to be involved with the St. Thomas Men’s Club. He somehow found time outside of church and his family to be involved with the Knights of Columbus and was a member of Saint Paul Council #4374. He was a Boy Scout leader for many years while his son, David, was a part of the organization. For his career, Duane was a carrier for the United States Postal Service until his retirement. More than anything, Duane loved to fish so whenever he had the opportunity, he would take the whole family up to the cabin. His passions included donating his time and money to groups that meant a lot to him, and spending time with his family.

Duane passed away at the Minneapolis VA Hospital on Saturday, September 10, 2016. He is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Logan Verness; his wife, Lorraine Verness (nee Kuehn); his son-in-law, David Villneauve; and his siblings, Margie Reinhold and Laverne Zang. He will be dearly missed by his children, David (Jane) Verness, Kate (Phil) Smith, Mary Verness, Virginia Villneauve, and Joy (Troy) Kammueller; 9 grandchildren, Mike (Christy) Verness, Matt Verness, Joe Verness, Pat (Kate), Jenni (Gerrod Heise) Smith, Kyler Kammueller, Brian Kammueller, Nicole Villneauve, and Rachel Villneauve; 3 of the cutest great-grandchildren to ever exist, Berit, James, and Audra; and many other family and friends.
There will be a gathering for family and friends from 5-8PM on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 (TODAY) at Mueller Memorial, 835 Johnson Parkway, St. Paul. There will be a second visitation from 9:30AM until the 10:30AM Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (formerly St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church) at 2119 Stillwater Avenue E. in St. Paul. Interment and military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.