Duane Francis Ommen

Duane Ommen, 91, passed away April 11, 2025, in Walker.  Friends and family will gather on Saturday May 3 at Hope Lutheran Church for visitation beginning at 10:00 am, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 am.  Lunch will follow.

Duane Francis Ommen was born February 12, 1934, on the family farm near Fulda, Minnesota.  He was the third of six children of Henry P. and Ella M. (Smith) Ommen.  Duane graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1952 and immediately enlisted.  An excellent marksman, he became an Army Ranger and served on several dangerous missions behind enemy lines during the Korean Conflict.  Duane earned a Purple Heart, leading his squad to safety, while himself being seriously injured.  Returning home, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from South Dakota State University.

While pursuing graduate studies in clinical psychology at the University of Minnesota, Duane helped adapt the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory as a practical measure of personality characteristics.  He applied this skill in the personnel department at the Minneapolis headquarters of Minnegasco and later progressed to director-level roles in marketing and acquisitions.

In 1983 he transitioned to the banking industry, serving as President of the Pine River State Bank and then First Bank of International Falls, significantly increasing market share and profitability of both institutions.  While living on the border he was also a consultant with the Small Business Administration and taught Marketing at Rainy River Community College.  In 1992 Duane and his wife Illa built a house on Leech Lake, doing much of the work themselves.  Duane remained active in the Walker community for thirty years.  Three years ago, he and Illa moved to the Edgewood May Creek senior campus in Walker.

Duane derived great satisfaction from his interactions with friends, always keeping the conversation going with quick one-liners.  He was a skilled cabinetmaker, making his own dining room table, chairs, and hutch as well as the altar rail and other furnishings for Hope Church.  One private accomplishment was to get a deer on opening day, with just one shot, which he did for twenty-four years straight.

Duane is survived by his wife of 66 years, Illa Mae (Felton) Ommen of Walker; children Cindy (Bill) Satterness of Eden Prairie, Paul Ommen of Hopkins, and Jackie (Richard) Tappe of Breezy Point; brother, Eugene Ommen of Lindstrom; grandchildren Kari and Eric (Katie) Satterness and Christopher (Angela) and Alex Tappe; great-grandchildren Teddy and Natalia Tappe; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be directed to the Kids Fishing Foundation, 31258 600th Street, Millville, MN 55957.

Duane’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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