Duane Glenn Betts

Duane Betts age 57 of Balaton, MN died Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at the Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Duane Betts age 57 of Balaton, MN died Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Services will be 2:00 PM Monday, October 31, 2011 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Duane Glenn Betts was born August 5, 1954 to Glenn A. and Lorene (Johnston) Betts in Carroll, IA, Carroll County. He was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids, IA. Duane grew up on a farm north of Coon Rapids and graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1972. Duane moved to Wynnewood, OK in 1982 where he worked through the years as a mechanic and welder. He also worked in the oilfields and owned a hay hauling business. Duane relocated to Minnesota in 1993 and over the years, he lived in several southwestern Minnesota communities, such as, Granite Falls, Currie, Lynd, Marshall and recently moved to Balaton in September of 2010. He was an expert welder and was employed by different companies to work on the many ethanol corn plants in the area. Currently, Duane worked for Mechanical Contractors located out of Minneapolis, MN. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, wood working and other crafting, such as working with glass, four-wheeling, and fishing with his son, Zachary. Duane very much enjoyed spending time with friends and Zachary. Duane had a severe ATV accident in June of 2011, and his overall health suffered, leading to his death on Tuesday, October 25, 2011, where he passed away unexpectedly at the Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 57. Duane is survived by his three daughters, Kenya (Aaron) Cox of Owasso, OK, Kristen (Jonathan) Mackey of Collinsville, OK and Kara (Robert) Douglas of Watauga, TX; two sons, Duane Betts Jr. of Wynnewood, OK and Zachary Kuebler of St. James, MN; four grandchildren, Kobe Cox, Konner Mackey, Khloe Mackey and Raiden Betts; his fiancé, Lori Carlson of Balaton, MN; one sister, Mary (Jim) Schwaller of Coon Rapids, IA; nephews, other relatives and friends. His parents, Glenn and Lorene Betts and one nephew, Travis Schwaller preceded him in death.