Duane R. Nienow

St. Charles,

Duane Nienow passed away February 16, 2016 at Samaritan Bethany nursing home in Rochester where he had resided since January 27th.

Duane Reuben Nienow was born August 7, 1929 in St. Charles, Minnesota to Ella (Fluegel) Nienow and Arthur Henry Nienow. He graduated from St. Charles High School in 1947 and from Winona State University in 1952. He spent the next five years in Sacramento, California where he taught junior high math. He returned to Minnesota and married Elaine Nienow July 7, 1957 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plainview. Duane, Elaine, and daughter Beth lived in Plainview and Elgin and moved to Rochester in 1985. Duane retired from IBM in 1987. His first wife, Elaine, died September 15, 2007. Duane married Lorraine (Ryan) Kroening October 3, 2009 at Berea Moravian Church in rural St. Charles. In February 2010 he suffered a stroke and received care at Golden Living Center-Whitewater in St. Charles before moving to Samaritan Bethany recently.

Duane was a talented musician and played tuba in several area dance bands and church groups. He was a lifelong member of Berea Moravian Church, a 50 year member of the Rising Sun Masonic Lodge of St. Charles and a member of Scottish Rite Bodies of Rochester.


In addition to Lorraine and her family, Duane is survived by his daughter Beth of Rochester, his nephew and nieces, David (Seana) Dalton, Caryn McCulley, Trecia Nienow, LeAnn Nienow, and sister-in-law Claire Nienow all of California, niece Charlotte Dalton, Reno, Nevada, sister-in-law Margaret Pille of Plainview, and cousin Maxine Simmons of Rochester. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ivan, and sister, Lois.

Friends may call Friday, February 26th from 5-8PM at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles. There will be a 7PM Prayer Service led by Reverend Frank Jones. A Masonic service will take place at 7:15. A Memorial will take place in the spring at Berea Moravian Church in rural St. Charles. Burial will be in the spring at Greenwood Cemetery in Plainview. Please share a memory of Duane at his on-line guestbook and view his video tribute when it becomes available a www.hofffuneral.com.

Duane's family would like to thank everyone at Golden Living Center-Whitewater and Samaritan Bethany for their compassionate care.

Memorials are suggested to Berea Moravian Church or Rochester Public Library or a charity of the donor's choice.