Duane Elmer Wilhelm Finstuen

Duane Elmer Wilhelm Finstuen, 91, of Zumbrota, died Thursday, September 3, 2026 at the Goodhue Living Community.

He was born December 11, 1934 in Minneola Township to Elmer and Anna (Kumbier) Finstuen. He attended country school and graduated from Zumbrota High School. After graduation he began hauling milk for Forest Olson. He liked to say he was the first grade-A milk hauler in southern Minnesota. In 1960, he began a 31-year career with IBM as a machinist. He retired in 1991. Duane liked to keep busy so following his retirement he worked various jobs around Zumbrota, including at the Zumbrota Golf Course, driving bees down to winter in Texas, delivering the newspaper, and handling the neighborhood snow removal.

On April 20, 1956 he married Barbara Gossett and they had two sons. They later divorced. On August 27, 1960 he married Alice Jerowski and the couple made their home in Zumbrota on a hobby farm.

Duane loved being outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing out west with his best friends, Duane Friese and Bob Thomford. He also volunteered his time with the DNR and the Izaak Walton League.

He is survived by his children, Faye Haugen of Zumbrota, Scott (Jill) Finstuen of Faribault, and Kim Simonson of Zumbrota; 8 grandchildren, Steven (Tessa) Finstuen, Tabitha (Mark) Fellows, Jarid Finstuen, Andrew (Kelsi) Finstuen, Emily (Jacob) Nelson, Mariah Simonson, Lucas Simonson, and Joseph Boehlke; 13 great-grandchildren, Alexis, Kaylee, Jordyn, Scott, Sadie, Adi, Decker, Peyton, Mattea, Eddie, Robert, Oliver, and Harper; sister, Dorothy (Arnold) Hadler; as well as nieces, nephews, and other family.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Alice; son, Steve Finstuen, daughter, DeeDee Haugen, great-grandson, Macin; sister, Delores Betcher; brother-in-law, Leonard Betcher; and sons-in-law, Robert Simonson and James Boehlke; and his parents.

A funeral service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Burial to follow at Zumbrota Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Izaak Walton or the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com