Duane Podoll

Duane Podoll, 79 of Pickerel Lake near Grenville died on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 at The Courage Cottage at Morris, MN. Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, December 10, 2011 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. Daniel Ostercamp will officiate. Inurnment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen. Duane Howard Podoll was born on Thursday, February 4, 1932 at Bath, South Dakota to Howard and Lillian (Griffiths) Podoll of Columbia, SD. Duane was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbia, SD. He graduated from Bath High School May 17, 1950 and then entered the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict. On June 5, 1954 he was united in marriage to Joan Ardell Barnum of Bath, SD at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. After finishing his four year commitment in the US Air Force, he was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant on Nov 30, 1955. Afterwards, Duane attended Northern State College receiving his Bachelors degree in economics. He taught business courses in Flandreau (1958-59) and Webster (1959-1962). He received his Masters of Education from Northern State College in 1961. In 1962 the couple moved to Aberdeen where he received an Assistant Professor of Economics position at Northern State College. Duane began his banking career in Aberdeen in 1970. In 1974 they moved to Webster where he served as President of Day County Bank in Webster. The couple moved to their lake home at Pickerel Lake in 1987 and he retired in 1992. Duane was diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma (a form of asbestos lung cancer) in September. Duane and Joan moved to Skyview Plaza in Morris, Minnesota in November. Duane was active at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Jaycees, 4-H parent and supporter, and served on various boards and committees. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, feeding birds and gardening through the years. He loved working with his hands and took pride in building three of their homes. During retirement he continued to serve people using his various skills and abilities. He served on the North East Council of Government, the head of the Sanitary Sewer of Pickerel Lake, did bookkeeping and payroll until his last month. Duane died on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at the Courage Cottage in Morris, Minnesota where hospice nurses provided compassionate care at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 3 days. He is survived by wife of 57 years, Joan Podoll; three children; Doug (Kim) Podoll of Amery, WI, Vicki (Dave) Bjerke of Watertown, SD, and Stacy (Paul) Erdal of Chokio, MN; one brother, Derald (Marilyn) Podoll of Frederick, SD; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.