B. Duane Solum, age 76, of Deer Park, WI, died Friday, January 11, 2008 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. He was born in Amery, WI, on April 17, 1931 to Belmer and Delia Solum of Deer Park.
Duane was a lifetime member of East Immanuel Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed.
He attended Northview Grade School in Black Brook Township. In high school he participated in the FFA basketball team, FFA trips and serving as an FFA officer. He graduated from Amery High School in 1949.
At the age of 19, Duane became the operator of the family farm after his father's death, supporting his mother and brother. He took over his Father's Insurance Business which he continued until his death.
Duane was united in marriage to Elaine Hansen on June 13, 1954 at East Immanuel Lutheran Church, Amery, Wisconsin.
Duane and Elaine enjoyed a lifetime of farming. Duane was a progressive farmer and a visionary using the latest techologies.
In March of 1992, the barn and most of the herd was destroyed by fire. A new dairy facility was built in 1993 along with his son Kevin.
Duane and his family hosted Amery Farm City Days in 1979 and in 1994. In 1997, Duane was named Wisconsin Master Farmer.
Duane was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a great supporter of his family and many of the activities of his wife, children and grandchildren. He loved traveling and the adventures of new places.
During his life, he served on the following boards: Foremost Farms USA, Land O'Lakes, Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative, National Milk Producers Federation, Dairyland Power Co-op, Gen/Sys Energy, Wisconsin Federation of Co-op's, Alden Black Brook Insurance President, Luck Mutual Insurance, Black Brook Town Chairman and Supervisor, Amery Ambulance Secretary-Treasurer, Polk County Board, Polk County Health Board, Polk County Zoning Board, Board of Adjustments for Polk County, DHIA director. He was honored to receive the Wisconsin Co-op Builder's Award in 2005. At the present time, Duane was president of East Immanuel Lutheran Church and treasurer of the Deer Park Lions Club.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine; son, Kevin (Roxie); daughters, Jody (Ed) Brittian, Janet (Duke) Krueger and Karen (Matt) Byrne; four grandchildren; brother, Gary (Doris) Solum; mother-in-law, Elsie Hansen; brother-in-law, Mert (JoAnne) Hansen, brother-in-law, Charlie (Betty) Hansen, brother-in-law, Roger (Katy) Hansen, and sister-in-law, Linda Hanna; many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by is parents, Belmer Solum, Delia Solum Elkin, step-father, Palmer Elkin and father-in-law, Merton Hansen.
Funeral services for B. Duane Solum were Wednesday, January 16, at 11:00 a.m. at East Immanuel Lutheran Church, Amery. Pastors Loren and Linda Schumacher officiated.
Music was provided by Warren Shortess, Dennis Thorson, Dorie Solum and Jane Johnson.
Pallbearers were Larry Bauer, Chuck Hughes, Orval Johnson, Wayne Olson, Dave Paulson, Jack Peterson and Tom Stordahl. Honorary Pallbearers were Lyman Dreier, Steve Glaim, Walter Goeken, Gene Hager, Bob Ode, John Siegmund, Don Storhoff and Daryl Swan.
Duane's popcorn will be dearly missed.
The Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery assisted the family with arrangements.
(Amery Free Press - Tuesday, January 22, 2008)
