Duane Francis Deal, age 99, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, musician, artist, business owner and long-time resident of Grand Rapids, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Grand Village Nursing Home.

Duane was born in 1925 to Clarence and Alma Deal in Minong, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943, serving in WWII as a radio operator in England, France, and then in Germany at the war's end in 1945.  In 1947, Duane drove his Indian motorcycle to Philadelphia, where he attended art school for one year. After that year, he settled back home in rural Bovey, Lawrence Lake, and worked at the Bovey Press. He also played piano on the weekends in his three-piece band, "The Harmony Kings."

In 1948, Duane married Barbara Schultz, and together they had seven children. The pair moved the family to Blaine, MN in 1956. While living in Blaine between 1956 and 1969, Duane worked at Eckman signs, was a member of the VFW, and worked in the community as an emcee and musician for charitable events, most notably "Fractured Frolics". Duane was a founding member of Christ Lutheran Church in Spring Lake Park, MN.

Duane married Janelle Arndt in 1969. The couple had one child together, and along with her two children they moved to Grand Rapids, MN. During this time Duane became the owner of Range City Signs.

In 1976, Duane married Margene Manning, and with her 4 children, and their one together, made their home in Bovey.

Duane was a talented artist who worked with oils, acrylics, and in later years, watercolors to create beautiful landscapes, nature scenes, and seascapes. He was a tournament table tennis player, played golf and in recent years, a regular at the round robin pool table at the YMCA. Duane entertained guests on the piano at the YMCA Christmas event in 2019.

In Duane's later years, he was a resident in the Norway unit at Grand Village where he was often found playing the piano for the residents and staff. He played the song "Whispering" on the piano for family members, friends, and staff at his 99th birthday party just two weeks prior to his passing.  At this party, Duane shared an engaging WWII story and an amusing "near death" experience as a young flight student, successfully landing his plane in a soft crash on the edge of Trout Lake back in 1946.

Wherever there were people gathered, Duane made sure that there was laughter and singing. He was there at the piano, musically guiding people toward the right tempo and key, and "bringing the song home" with great skill. Duane was a man of many talents and will be forever missed by family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Douglas and Keith Deal; sister Donna Patterson; and daughter, Judy Lynn Deal. Duane is survived by his wife of 47 years, Margene; children, Gary (Nancy) Deal, Colleen Eichenberger, Jane (Lyle) Deal Braund, Paul Deal, Joseph Deal, Bryan Deal, Duane (Regina) Deal Jr., Theresa Reberk, Pamela (Bob) Bagus, Patrick Deal, Kent (Stephanie) Manning, Terri (Dan) Hertle, Karol Roberts, and Tammy (Dave) Brainerd; 19 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on June 22, 2024, at Libbey Funeral Home in Grand Rapids beginning at 12:00 PM  and lasting until the 1:00 PM memorial service.  Interment with Military Honors will be held at a private ceremony at Fort Snelling at a later date.