March 12, 1936 - May 23, 2023

Duane B. Ross, 87, of Brookings, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Edgewood Greenleaf Assisted Living in Brookings, SD.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, in Brookings, and will be livestreamed through the church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church, beginning at 1 p.m. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, at Campbell Cemetery, in Campbell, MN, with refreshments to follow at the Campbell Community Center. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Duane Bert Ross was born on March 12, 1936, in Campbell MN to his parents Ernest and Josephine (Lievering) Ross. He attended Campbell Public School graduating in 1954. On June 25, 1966, he and Elaine Miller were married in Campbell, MN. He was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD.
After attending UND for one semester he spent two years in the Army stationed in Yuma, AZ as a meteorological observer. While he was there, he played on a basketball team traveling to different bases. Following his discharge, he fulfilled his five-year obligation in the MN National Guard.
 Upon completion of a program at Heavy Equipment School in Weiser, ID, he worked in the smelters in Kellogg, ID, followed by working with excavating and spraying equipment in Campbell, MN.
His next position was with Mannix LTD, based in Plymouth, MN, a company manufacturing railroad maintenance equipment working in the factory, but primarily going on jobs supervising railroad crews in cleaning operation throughout the US and Canada. From there, he ventured to Airline Ground Support Equipment based in Glenwood, MN. He was sent to major airports in New York, Seattle, and Hawaii on trouble shooting jobs.
The next endeavor was the formation of a manufacturing business in Lamoure, ND, with a friend, producing farm transport systems. Then he transitioned to Ortonville, MN, where he was General Manager of Morris Red-Weeder, manufacturing tillage equipment.
After, the facility closed and he bought a business in Sioux Falls, SD, manufacturing Automated Farm Equipment. At this time in his life he launched into woodworking, making special orders for furniture and home décor items. He closed his manufacturing career as General Manager of Prest Rack, Brookings, SD. After receiving insurance licensure, he was with Anderson Ross Insurance in Brookings, SD.
Then, full retirement on his acreage where he was able to enact his wishes to enhance the environment. He designed and built the essential buildings needed for his many interests including, a shop, barn, wood shed, greenhouse/root cellar, and a storage shed.
He enjoyed growing and experimenting with grapes, fruit trees, vegetables, and used the produce for making wine. Bee hires were needed for pollution and honey.
The barn and pasture were used for raising a cow, Zelda, and her calves along with chickens, ducks, and geese. He loved his shop where he built furniture that was designed and made whatever was needed to make life easier and better. There was a special bunk area for his dog, Amos. A work in progress was his model railroad set-up.
Duane is survived by his wife Elaine, sister Wilma (Harris) Richardson of Wahpeton ND, brother Neil (Corrine) of Breckenridge MN, sister Renae Olson of Woodruff WI, and many doting nieces and their families.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.