Duane W. Matz

Duane Matz, age 83 of Perham, MN died Friday, March 10, 2023 in Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN.

Duane William Matz was born May 7, 1939, the son of Louis and Myrtle (Rader) Matz in rural Perham. He attended country school until eighth grade before attending Perham High School where he graduated in 1957. Following high school, Duane joined the US Marine Corp. For six months he served in active duty and then spent six and a half years in the reserves. After Duane’s six months of active duty, he attended the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota School of Business, graduating with degrees in business and accounting.

In 1964, Duane was united in marriage to JoAnn Remus and they later became proud parents of Julie, Janell, and Steven. JoAnn, at age 39, had a brain aneurism and was in a coma for a number of years. During their married years, Duane was employed at Lincoln National Life in the branch service office; then as an accountant at Farr Plumbing and later at Target as a computer programmer, warehouse manager, and then buyer. Duane then got into the fireplace and woodstove business as general manager of Osseo Feed. From there, he was hired at Fireside Corner as manager and salesman.

Duane met his second wife in 1981, Marilyn I. Hill. Duane and Marilyn were married on June 11, 1982. They blended the two families, lived through five teenagers, had four in college at one time, and loved them all! Duane and Marilyn then purchased Fireplace Showroom in Osseo, which they owned and operated until their retirement. Duane then got his dream; they sold their home in Maple Grove and moved to a lake home they built outside of Perham where they’ve lived for the past 21 years.

Preceding Duane in death were his parents, and first wife JoAnn.

Duane leaves behind his wife Marilyn; daughters Julie (Dave) Noland and Janell (Shannon) Matz O’Keefe; sons Steven (Sarah) Matz, Harlan (Jennifer) Hill, and Heath (Allysa) Hill; ten grandchildren Garret and Grant Matz, Anna Noland, Liam and Teagan Matz O’Keefe, Tynan Herrmann, Laurann (Santiago) Hill, Roderic (Micaelah) Hill, and Emma and Wyatt Hill; nine great-grandchildren; brother Don (Marlene) Matz; sisters Linda (Lloyd) Quittschreiber and Lana (John) Howard; aunt Erna (Lester) Rader; and his nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Duane was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He loved the Lord and was active in all the churches he attended over the years. He was also active in the Big Brothers Association and the United Way. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 on Thursday, March 16 at Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service. Visitation will resume beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 on Friday, March 17 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills, MN. Burial will be in Gorman Lutheran Cemetery, rural Frazee, MN.

Please see below to view the funeral and graveside service livestream.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com