Duane A. Miller

OREGON-Duane A. Miller, age 78, prominent realtor and developer, died peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, at St. Marys Hospital of complications associated with COPD and Pulmonary Hypertension. Duane was born on April 15, 1932, at St. Marys Hospital in Madison, the son of Sally (Krogfus) and Scott Miller. He graduated from Oregon High School in 1950, and UW-Madison in 1954, with a degree in Animal Husbandry. In 1952, Duane won the International Livestock Meat Judging Contest and served as chairman of the Little International in 1954. He was a member of the AGR fraternity. Upon graduation he was a commissioned officer in the ROTC and served in the U.S. Army from 1955 until 1957. On June 25, 1960, he married the love of his life, Shirley Mae Renander. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this last June. After military service, Duane was a cattle buyer for Rath Packing and then American Beef Packers, both located in Iowa. In 1972, he and Shirley moved their family back to his hometown of Oregon, where with his brother, Scott, farmed and later developed the Ravenoaks and Hampton Hills subdivisions. In 1991, Duane retired into real estate. At his death, he was still actively working for Bunbury & Associates. Duane was very involved in the farming and holstein cattle community. He has served on the World Dairy Expo Board, the Dane County Fair Board, the Dane County Holstein Breeders Board, and was a 4-H leader for many years. He was also a member of the Elks Club in Madison. As a faithful member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Oregon, he served as co-chair of the building committee and stewardship drives. He also was a long-time usher until recent years. In his younger years, Duane was an avid golfer. In his older years, he learned how to snow and water ski. An eternal Badger fan, he and Shirley had season football and basketball tickets for many years. They enjoyed going to many bowl games and Big Ten Playoffs in Indianapolis. Duane loved his family and so enjoyed being around his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; three children, Scott (Mary), Margot, Max and Nicholas of Downers Grove, Ill., Charles (Marie), Kathleen and Paul of Logan, Utah; and Catherine (Cris), Miller and Hadley Stang of Oregon; brother, Scott (Pat) of Oregon; sister, Martha (John) Onsrud of Stoughton; sister-in-law, Donna Jean Breidenbach of St. Charles, Mo.; brother-in-law, Burnell (Sue) Renander of Northfield, Minn.; and six nieces and nephews. Duane was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Hubert and Myrtle Renander; and brother-in-law, Melvin Breidenbach. Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood, Oregon at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, with the Rev. Sara Gillespie presiding. Visitation will be held at the GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park St., Oregon from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 17, 2011. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church, 625 E. Netherwood, Oregon, WI. 53575, Oregon Food Pantry, 117 Spring St. Oregon, WI. 53575, or a favorite charity. Duanes family expresses their sincerest gratitude to Dr. Orest Kostelyna of Dean Clinic, and the doctors and staff at both Dean Clinic and St. Marys Hospital. Duane lived a wonderful and full life. We will always remember him with a smile on his face, a joke in his pocket, and ears perked for a great story. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church, 625 E. Netherwood, Oregon, WI. 53575, Oregon Food Pantry, 117 Spring St. Oregon, WI., or a favorite charity. Visitation: Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park St., Oregon, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 17, 2011. Service: Services will be held at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood, Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011.