Duane Charles Werner

Duane Charles Werner, 73, of Meadowlands, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes Thursday, March 5, 2026. Duane was born in Duluth to Thomas and Patricia (Dulinski) Werner on November 7, 1952.

He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1971. Following graduation, with a love of aviation he joined the Minnesota Air National Guard, where he was an aircraft mechanic with the 148th Fighter Group/Wing and retired as a Master Sergeant after 22 years of service with the Air Force. Prior to retiring, he owned and operated D.C. Werner Trucking Inc. for many years.

His time was spent raising beef cattle, farming, hunting, and reading about history. He had a passion for classic cars and loved working with heavy machinery. Duane was an accomplished carpenter who built both his homes and had a special talent for solving any problem.

Most importantly he loved his family and his wife, who just celebrated their 50th anniversary with Lorie’s dream trip to Hawaii.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John; sister-in-laws, Vera Werner, and Linda Ehlenbach; father-in-law, Frank Ehlenbach.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lorie; children, Denien (David) Sramek, and Landon Werner; grandchildren, Savanna and Jameson Sramek; siblings, Kathy (Cliff) Bird, Richard (Judy) Werner, Roger Werner; twin brother, David (Nancy) Werner; sister-in-law, Barbara Werner; mother-in-law, Nancy Ehlenbach; numerous nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.

Visitation will be 5-7PM, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St, Duluth MN. Visitation will continue on March 12, 2026, from 10AM until the 11AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. John's Catholic Church, 4230 St. John's Ave. Duluth MN. Entombment at Calvary Cemetery in Duluth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555. Please visit www.dfhduluth.com to sign the online guestbook.