Duane J. Fealy was born on March 6, 1935 to Judd and Rose (Payment) Fealy near Mentor, MN. He grew up and attended school in Erskine, MN. Duane became a surveyor and worked for Hastad Engineering located in Halstad, MN. In 1957, Duane joined the US Army and served both in active duty and in the reserves for nearly 4 years. Much of his time in the Army was spent in Alaska. When Duane returned, he married Ruth Vollen with which he had four children; Grant, Deborah, Greg, and Deann. It was during these years Duane started his commendable 38 year long career as a District Representative with Garden Valley Telephone Company. He often spoke of the many great people he was able to serve and had many fond recollections over the years. 
Duane met the love of his life, Sharon Degerness, and they married on October 5, 1991. Duane and Sharon shared many activities over their 38 years of marriage including camping in the fall, tending to their gardens, and enjoying each other’s company under a shade tree or in their gazebo. They enjoyed many beautiful creations at their home which included a lovely flower garden, impressive vegetable garden, and many of the best raspberry bushes and strawberry plants that were coveted by friends and neighbors.
Duane was a very talented man and could accomplish anything he put his mind to. He rarely asked for help or paid to have something done for him. He put his talents to very good use building many things in his own home and making a makeshift vehicle for the kids first car. Duane was generous with his talents. For those that knew him best understood his willingness to help others freely. Duane loved woodworking in his shop and creating keepsakes; many times, from wood harvested off his property. Duane was an outstanding outdoorsman. He loved to live off the land, hunt, and fish for his food. For many years he would trap as another source of income. He had a true respect for nature and one of his favorite activities during a great portion of his life was cutting and splitting wood to heat his home in the winter…. You can even ask the grouse that would keep him company while doing so!
Duane passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 29th at the Halstad Living Center in Halstad, MN at the age of 87.
Duane is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Fealy of Halstad, MN; children, Grant Fealy (Raylene) of Colorado Springs, CO, Deb Sande (Sean) of Horace, ND, Dee Fealy of Fargo, ND, Lori DeLong ( Jay) of Halstad, MN, Joni Page (Jim) of Beltrami, MN, and Joel Degerness ( Jennifer) of Arthur, ND; siblings, Delores Syverson, Fosston, MN, Elaine (Warren) Ohren, Fosston, MN, and Lee Schaller, Bolingbrook, IL; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Greg Fealy; sisters, Jane Hole and Betty Schaller; and brothers-in-law, Floyd Syverson and Douglas Hole.
A special thanks to the staff of the Halstad Living Center for their loving care while Duane was a resident there and also to Hospice of the Red River Valley for their compassionate care.
Memorial Service: 1:00 PM, Monday, November 7, 2022 at Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home, Halstad, MN.
Visitation: One hour before the memorial service at the funeral home.
Inurnment with full military rites: Halstad North Cemetery, Halstad, MN.
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