Duane Lyle Toso

Duane Lyle Toso, 82, a resident of Pelican Rapids, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2016, at the Pelican Valley Health Center in Pelican Rapids.

Duane was born on the family farm in Maplewood on June 6, 1933, to Martin and Mabel (Weik) Toso. He was the seventh of nine siblings, and family ties were important to him throughout his life. After graduating from Pelican Rapids High School in 1951, he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Korea. Back in Minnesota, he was certified as a watchmaker and worked for Ken Hanson Jewelry in Pelican Rapids.

He married Carol Ouren on August 18, 1956, at South Immanuel Lutheran Church, and they moved to the Minneapolis area soon after. Duane worked for Honeywell in the Aero Spinmotor Department, where he won a major award in 1963 for an innovation on gyroscope components used in the space program.

Wanting to raise their children near family, Duane and Carol moved back to Pelican Rapids in 1966 where he became an electrician, ending his career as an electrical inspector at Dynamic Homes in Detroit Lakes. He and Carol enjoyed dancing, and they took many family camping trips.

In retirement, Duane enjoyed time on his Allis Chalmers tractor transforming their lot at Prairie Lake, serving in the VFW Color Guard, helping his kids with various projects for their homes, making maple syrup, bonfires at the lake, and playing cribbage with the grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings Bill, Evelyn, Viola, Vernon, Marilyn, Erwin, and Darlene.

Duane is survived by his wife, Carol Toso of Pelican Rapids; his children, Deb (Dave) Linde of Corcoran, MN; Larry (Audrey) Toso of Prior Lake, MN; and David (Laura) Toso of Madison, WI; and his grandchildren Andrew, Alayna, Kayla (Alex), Steven, Samantha, Mitch, and Max. He is also survived by his brother, Neil (Bette) of Mahnomen; three dozen nieces and nephews; and honorary grandsons Sam and Andrew Buck.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to your favorite charity in honor of Duane are preferred.

Visitation: 10:00-11:00 AM on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the church. Service: 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at South Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Rothsay. Clergy: Reverend Phil Tobin Interment: South Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls