Donald Duden, 76

Donald Elmer Duden, 76, of Red Wing, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park.

He was born March 28, 1936, in Red Wing to Elmer and Hulda (Swanson) Duden. He was a graduate of Red Wing Central High "Great Class of '54" and attended Mankato State University. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War until he was honorably discharged. He married Ramona Johnson, and they later divorced, and then married Sharon Luhman, and they later divorced.

He began working as an electrician at Kask Electric and also worked part-time at Fortier Typewriters. He attended the National Fire Academy in Maryland and became assistant fire chief for the Red Wing Fire Department, where he was employed for 33 years. During that time, he graduated from the OSHA Inspector's School and was a certified OSHA Inspector and was a graduate of BCA School, and many other fire schools within the State of Minnesota, such as the State Fire Marshall School and the Hennepin County Fire Marshall School. He served as the Secretary of the Relief Association, was the treasurer of the Featherstone Township Board and president of the Fire and Building Association in Rochester. He was also a certified teacher for CPR, first aid and advanced first aid, Firemanship classes, and defibrillator classes. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Leo C. Peters American Legion #54, BPOE #845 Red Wing Elk's Lodge and the Goodhue Lion's Club.

He is survived by his sister, Phyllis (Roy) Stumpf of Red Wing; a son, Eric Duden of New York; daughter, Christine Spalding of Hardwick, Mass.; stepson, Jason Luhman of Red Wing; nine grandchildren and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Gerald Stumpf.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Reverend Kristen Schlauderaff officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, with a Legion prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, and at the church for 1 hour prior to the service. Memorials preferred to Hartland Hospice or St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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