Duane R. Porath, 80

Duane Robert Porath, 80, passed away on June 3, 2021, at Journey House Hospice in Lincoln.

Duane was born on February 22, 1941 to Arnold Edward Porath and Eleanor Emma (Detgen) in Valentine. He was baptized March 9, 1941, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Crookston. He was later confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in 1954.

Duane spent his entire life in the Cherry County area, growing up on the family ranch south of Crookston. He attended grade school in a one room school on the German Settlement, freshman year of high school at Crookston, and then went to Kilgore High School where he graduated in 1958. Duane was in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965. He went to Fort Leonard Wood, MO for his training and then went to Karl’s Ruche Germany in April 1964 during the Vietnam War and was discharged in November of 1965. He worked at Schlueter Construction company for a year after returning home from the Army. He then began working with his father on the ranch in the German Settlement area. He loved working with his horses and taking care of the cattle.

He met his wife Carolyn Jane Reiser at the dances at the Veterans Club in Valentine. They were married on March 22, 1975. Carolyn had two daughters Kimberly Dawn Weber and Kristina Louise Weber. He loved ranching, raising quarter horses, laughing and teasing with family and friends. In 1992, Duane and Carolyn moved to Valentine, but Duane continued to travel back and forth to the ranch. In 2006, nephew Sam Day started helping Duane with the ranching. He was a member of Cherry County Ag Society for 30 years from 1990 to 2021 and enjoyed working the ticket booth and sponsorships. He was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Crookston, on the board as president and elder, and then joined Our Savior Lutheran Church in Valentine where he helped with ushering. He could be found every Sunday sitting in the back pew.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Eleanor Porath and his brother Glenn.

Surviving family are his wife of 46 years, Carolyn Porath; daughters Kimberly Potter (Ron Jr) of Meadow Grove and Kristina Weber of Valentine; sister Karen Potter (Bill) of Valentine; granddaughter Megan Gallino Leikam (Toby) of Lincoln; Grandson Michael Gallino (Jessica) of Yuma, AZ ; grandson Markus Potter (Jodi) of Valentine; Granddaughter Danielle Potter Santos (Henry) of Norfolk; and Grandson Adam Potter of Colorado Springs, CO. Great grandchildren Kelsey and Thea, Gabe, Asher and Deegan. And numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and an aunt. Duane will be missed by all his family and friends and now is with his Savior in Heaven. Services were held 10:00 a.m.

Saturday June 12, 2021 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Valentine. Burial with full military honors followed at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, German Settlement, Crookston. Holmes Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Online guest register at www.HolmesFH.com.