In Loving Memory Of

Duane Kirchner

Duane Francis Kirchner, the son of Joseph and M. Cecelia (Olsem) Kirchner, was born on April 23, 1939, on a farm in Cottonwood County, MN near Dundee. He grew up on the farm and attended country school and the Fulda High School. He joined the U.S. Army when he was 20 and served in Missouri and South Carolina and several years with the Army National Guards. Duane took over the family farm that he was raised on after his father retired. In August of 1977, Duane met Leatrice Bruns at a dance in Luverne, MN and were married on August 12, 1978, at the First Congregational Church in Peterson, IA. After their marriage they lived on the family farm and raised their children. Duane farmed and owned and operated Kirchner Repair and served over 40 years in the rural surrounding areas and Iowa doing backhoe work. In June of 2022 they moved to their new home in Slayton, MN. Duane passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at his home in Slayton at the age of 86. He was a former member of St, Mary’s Catholic Church in Dundee where he had served as a board trustee and the St. Mary’s Cemetery Board. Duane belonged to St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton. He enjoyed going to Polka Fests, antique gas and tractor shows, collecting toy tractors, his grandchildren, playing his concertina and farming.

Survivors include his wife, Lea Kirchner of Slayton, MN; children, Jason (Jennifer) Kirchner of Slayton, MN and Isabel (Andrew) Nelson of Littleton, CO; 5 grandchildren, AJ, Amira, Lola, Alliana and Cohen; 5 siblings, Mary Kirchner of Fulda, MN, Agnes Lohse of Heron Lake, MN, Paul (Janet) Kirchner of Fulda, MN, Donald (Jeanne) Kirchner of Worthington, MN and Robert (Charlene) Kirchner of Brewster, MN and brother-in-law, Leslie Bruns of Spencer, IA. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Leo and John Kirchner and brother-in-law, William Lohse.

Funeral Services

St. Ann’s Catholic Church Slayton, MN, at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, with Fr. Peter Schuster officiating.  The organist is Judy Andrews. The song leader is Sheila Crowley. The pallbearers are AJ Kirchner, Philip Kirchner, Jacob Kirchner, Dean Lohse, David Olsem and Shannon Sindt. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery Dundee, MN.

Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 6 PM at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice of Murray County.