Duane H. Eschenbaum, 93, of Miller, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2020 at the Highmore Health.
Celebration of Duane’s life will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2020 at the Midway Drive-In at Miller with Rev. Brad Sanderson officiating. Please tune into radio station FM 89.1 to hear the service. No restrooms will be provided. Public visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2020 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller. Private burial with military honors will be at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.
Duane Henry Eschenbaum was born August 19, 1927, to Henry and Lena (Engelmann) Eschenbaum at home in Logan Township, Hand County, South Dakota. He attended grade school in Ohio Township and graduated from Miller High School in 1945.
Duane entered the Maritime Service immediately after graduation where he served from June through September 1945. He went into the Army of the United States in January 1946. He served in the 2nd Signal Corps in Korea. He drove all army vehicles up to two and a half ton, did minor repair and maintenance and transported supplies and personnel. He was discharged June 1946, in Yong Dunpo, Korea. He re-enlisted at that time and served until August of 1947.
Duane married Roberta Johnson, November 17, 1949 and they were blessed with four children, Duana, Shirley, Harrison, and Jeff. The couple farmed in south Hand County on the farm homesteaded by Duane’s grandfather, Weert Engelmann. They lived there until 2007 when they moved to Baltic, South Dakota to live with their son, Harrison. Duane moved into the nursing home in 2008, he was currently living in Highmore at Highmore Health. He enjoyed his life’s work and loved the land and animals in his care. He served on the Logan Township Board as treasurer for many years.
Duane was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the church council for a short time.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Roberta Eschenbaum; daughters: Duana Eschenbaum, Miller and Shirley (Mike) Cook, Ree Heights; sons: Harrison, Miller, and Jeff (Jody), Lake Preston; seven grandchildren: Vance (Rikki) Cook, Jennifer (Nate) McIntosh, Jessica (Greg) Naderi, Sterling (Courtney) Eschenbaum, Ty Eschenbaum, Calder Eschenbaum, and Stetson Eschenbaum; eight great grandchildren; Jacob DeBus, Jayden DeBus, Jillian DeBus, Zachary McIntosh, Anekka Vlcek, Devin Cook, and Ryker and Landry Eschenbaum; two sisters: MaryAnn Clodt and JoDean (Vernon) Joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Robert and Harold; one sister, Ruth Harrell and one sister-in-law, LaVonne Eschenbaum.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Ty Eschenbaum Foundation, c/o South Dakota Community Foundation, PO Box 296, Pierre SD 57501. https://sdcommunityfoundation.org/for-advisors/existing-funds/ty-eschenbaum-foundation/
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Duane’s arrangements.
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