Duane W. Elliott

Duane Elliott, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife Alice, son Kevin, daughter Susan, and brother Myron. He is survived by sons Brian (Nancy) and David, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Duane was born on December 28, 1924, in Rice Lake, WI. He spent his youth in Detroit, MI, Brainerd, MN, and Grand Rapids, MN, where he graduated high school and attended Itasca Junior College before his induction into the military in 1943. Granted his preference for the US Army Air Corps, Duane was trained as a fighter pilot, achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Upon returning home, Duane attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1949 with a BS in Civil Engineering. Duane married Alice Markwardt on May 14, 1950, and they resided in Chisholm, MN, where Duane served as City Engineer. Children Susan and Kevin soon followed, and the young family relocated to Roseville, MN, in 1955, as Duane sought career advancement opportunities in the rapidly growing Twin Cities area. There, the family welcomed two more children, Brian and David.

Duane joined Banister Engineering in 1961, and upon retirement of the company head, he became a lead partner in the newly renamed Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH), where he worked until retiring in 1989, serving the last six years as President.

In retirement, Duane and Alice settled in Stillwater, MN, spending winters in Haines City, FL, enjoying golf, travel, and time together. They eventually took residence at Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights, MN, where they transitioned through their senior years.

Duane was blessed with a century of life – a life well-lived, reflected in his devotion to Alice, his love of God, family, career, flying, the outdoors, and the family retreat on Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids, as well as his pride in his military service and his role in the growth of SEH, which he considered his second family.

Duane’s funeral service will be held in the chapel at Boutwells Landing on Tuesday, December 30 at 2:00PM, with visitation one hour beforehand. He will be interred at Itasca Calvary Cemetery in Grand Rapids.