Duane Thorpe

June 26, 2012

Duane Curtis Thorpe, age 53, of Hutchinson, died Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at the Hutchinson Area Health Care. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with the Rev. Gerhard Bode officiating. Interment of the urn will be held at a later date. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson on Thursday evening and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel. Duane Curtis Thorpe was born on November 2, 1958 in Willmar, Minnesota. He was the son of Edwin Thorpe and Clara (Nix) Thorpe Yzermans. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Willmar, Minnesota. He was a graduate of Willmar High school class of 1977. He furthered his education at Willmar Technical College in Drafting and Design. On August 3, 1984, Duane was united in marriage to Debra Johns at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Granite Falls, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with 3 children, Kelsey, Kyle and Kenzie. They resided in Hutchinson, Minnesota and shared 27 wonderful years of marriage. Duane was employed as a drafter at Hutch Manufacturing, HTI and Millerbernd Design. He was also self employed as the Hutch Handyman. He enjoyed working with the Cedar Mills Rod and Gun Club and was also active with the Crow River Cutters and their chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation's Youth Conservation Board. He especially enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with kids. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson and chaperoned a number of youth mission trips. He was a skilled artisan and enjoyed making oak woodwork furniture and stained glass projects. He enjoyed hunting turkey, pheasant and deer with friends and relatives. He followed the Minnesota Twins and the Hutch Huskies. Duane loved his family and friends. He enjoyed sharing his wit and sarcasm with everyone, which he has passed along to his three children. Both Duane and Deb shared their compassion for others by taking in and guiding many foster children. Duane was also very proud of his 30 years of sobriety. Duane was diagnosed with cancer in January of 2008. He lost his courageous battle and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at the age of 53 years. He will be dearly missed. Duane is survived by his: Wife, Deb Thorpe; two daughters, Kelsey (and Dave) Rickert and Kenzie Thorpe; and one son, Kyle Thorpe; Mother, Clara Yzermans; Sisters, Dolores (and Bob) Kuhlman, Donna Peterson and Denise Wilton; Brother Darwin (and Jenny) Thorpe; Many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Duane is preceded in death by his: Father, Edwin Thorpe; Brother, Doug Thorpe; and brother-in-law Butch Peterson.