Duane “Duke” Brende passed away unexpectedly of an apparent embolism on Saturday, May 27, 2017. His Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Dell Rapids. Visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Kahler Funeral Home. The family will be present from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with the Christian Wake service at 7:00 p.m.  On-line condolences may be left at the Kahler Funeral Home website.

Duane “Duke” Clifford Brende was born on June 18, 1951 in Sioux Falls, SD to Clifford and Leona (Nelson) Brende. He grew up and attended school in Baltic, graduating from Baltic High School in 1969. He attended and graduated from Dakota State University in Madison. After college, he met the love of his life Patti Shelquist. They were married on June 4, 1977 in St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. The couple made their home in Dell Rapids. Duke was employed at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls and was looking forward to his upcoming retirement.

Duke was the finest example of a true family man. He was an extremely caring and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He loved Patti with all of his heart and took pride in the life and family they built together. He played a monumental role in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Duke was well known for his true passion for sports. He attended countless hours of ball games throughout the years. He enjoyed watching Ross and Erin’s sporting events growing up and played an active role as a coach and mentor. Duke rooted passionately for the Yankees, Colts, and Duke Blue Devils. Nobody despised the Red Sox or Tom Brady more than he did. He was also a committed fan to all the area teams and was looking forward to watching his grandchildren and their various activities. He and Patti were past presidents of the DRHS Booster Club and were named boosters of the year for 1995-1996. Duke will undoubtedly be missed by many.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. He was a past Legion baseball coach and took pride in coaching the team that made it to state in 1998.

Duke is preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Walter and Bernice Shelquist.

He is survived by his wife, Patti of Dell Rapids, his son, Ross (Tiffany) Brende of Dell Rapids and their sons, Jace, Brooks, and Jax; his daughter, Erin (Eric) Carlson of St. Michael, MN and their children, Anthony, Avery and Maclin; his brother, Don (Pat) Brende of Dell Rapids; his sister-in-law, Mary Jo Shelquist of Dell Rapids; his nephews, Scot Brende and Steve Brende; his niece, Sherri Brende and his extended family and many friends.