Caledonia Argus

Posted: 2/16/04

Duane Crawford

Duane E. Crawford, 80, of Spring Grove, MN, and formerly of St. Louis Park and Rosemount, MN, died Thursday, February 12, 2004, at his home. He was born September 22, 1923 in LeRoy to Elwin Lorain and Amanda Mary Emma (Linde) Crawford. Duane is a graduate of Spring Grove High School. He then served the United States Army, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division, in WWII from February of 1943 until December of 1945. After returning from the service, Duane attended one year at the Minneapolis Business College. He met Darlene Elizabeth Pender and they were married October 17, 1953 at Union Congregational Church in St. Louis Park.

Duane was employed 27 years at the Minneapolis Post Office and was instrumental in establishing the Bulk Mail Center in Eagan. After his retirement from the post office in June of 1979, he worked for Rupp Industries in Burnsville as a sheet metal cutter. In May of 1992, Duane and Darlene retired to Spring Grove where Duane had always enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene; three daughters, Wendy Sheridan and spouse, Chris Knutsen, Apple Valley, Judy (Tony) Hart, and Mary Ricard and James Frechette, all of Rosemount; two sons, Jeffrey (Alice) Crawford, Minneapolis, and Douglas (Diane) Crawford, Clive, IA; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lila Haugen.

Services will be Friday, February 20, 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Caledonia with Pastor Tony Fink officiating. Military Honors will follow the service at church. A graveside service will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, on a later date. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 1 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Caledonia United Methodist Church.

Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia is in charge of arrangements.

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