Duane Strack

Duane A. Strack, age 83, of Motley, formerly of St. Cloud and Lake Alexander, passed away on March 9, 2026.

Born on January 28, 1943, to Sylvester and Veronica (Dockendorf) Strack in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Duane grew up on the family farm in Stearns County. He built a cabin on Lake Alexander in 1969 and later a retirement home there in 2000, which he sold in 2015 before moving to Motley. A retired municipal sales representative for DeZurk in Sartell, he remained deeply connected to the land, managing 40 acres of wildlife habitat for upland game in western Morrison County for many years.

Duane gave generously of his time and talents to the communities he loved. He served as Chief Executive Officer for Amasa, Inc., as past secretary of the Brainerd Lakes Audubon Society, and as a past officer of both the Motley Area Historical Society and the Staples/Motley Area Arts Council. He was a longtime member of the England Prairie Pioneer Club in Verndale. For the past twenty-two years, he volunteered faithfully at the Living Legacy Gardens in Staples, where he helped reset brick pathways for greater accessibility, assisted in building a pergola and butterfly house, participated in fundraising, and made wreaths each fall. He found quiet joy in nature walks and playing pickleball.

Duane is survived by five nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Marvin in 2007 and Elmer in 2019.