Duane Althoff

Duane Althoff 79 of Ortley died Saturday October 18, 2014 at Milbank Area Hospital in Milbank. His funeral will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday October 23, 2014 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Waubay, Rev. Justin Neugebauer will officiate. Burial will be at the Ortley Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 5-7 P.M. at the funeral home. Duane Delano Althoff was born on Sunday September 1, 1935 on a farm near Waubay, South Dakota to Simon and Ella (Gramberg) Althoff. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith. He attended country school near the family farm. After his education he worked with his family farming in the Waubay area. On October 29, 1955 he was united in marriage to Barbara “Bobbi” England at Havre, Montana. The couple made their home in Montana where Duane worked on several ranches until 1963, when the family returned to the Waubay/Ortley area. The family settled on a ranch south of Ortley where they made their home for the past fifty years. Duane was a lifetime rancher, which he loved dearly. He was founder and inventor of Duralite Trailers Incorporated. He was active in designing and creating unique, high quality horse, cattle, and flatbed trailers. He enjoyed antique Caterpillar earthmoving equipment, collecting trains, Breyer Collections, playing cards and reading. After his retirement he spent time on woodworking projects large or small, including the construction of the couple’s current home. But above all Duane loved his family and spending time with them was very special to him. He especially enjoyed entertaining all his great-grandchildren. Duane passed away at Milbank, South Dakota Saturday October 18, 2014 at the age of 79 years one month, and 17 days. He is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Barbara “Bobbi” of Ortley, SD, four children: Laura (Joe) Gaikowski, Tammy (Keith) Nilson both of Webster, SD, Duane (Leonard) Althoff of Scottsdale, AZ, and Carolyn (Kenneth) Giessinger of Milbank, SD, 13 grandchildren: Adam Niles, Eric (Carrie) Niles, Justin (Barb) Niles, Jerimiah Gaikowski, Danielle (Anthony) Reil, Derek (Jenna) Sinner, Devin (Stacy) Sinner, Jacob Gaikowski, Kyle (Alison) Nilson, Kevin (Monica-special friend) Nilson, Kendal (Tanya-special friend) Nilson, Daniel (Tayler-special friend) Mount, and Skyler (Karissa-special friend) Mount, twelve great-grandchildren: Abigail Reil, Alex Reil, Owen Niles, Linken Niles, Ethan Reil, Garrett Nilson, Hunter Sinner, Everly Niles, Ava Niles, Stella Nilson, Maxxim Niles, and Lexin Sinner, six siblings: Verna Knapp, Earl (Serine) Althoff, Virgil (Gaila)Althoff all of Waubay, SD, Dorothy (Lloyd) Pies of Sisseton, SD, Eugene (Oriet)Althoff of Webster, SD, and Marie Leppin-Graves of Salem, OR. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Evelyn Pies, Irene Pies, Myrtle Burkhart, two brothers: Harold Althoff and Clarence Althoff, and one great-granddaughter, Calissa Niles.