Richard "Duane" Aaland passed on to his heavenly home Sunday, September 3, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus in Rochester, MN. Duane Aaland was born December 31, 1945, in Northfield, MN to Clarence and Alfa (Cartford) Aaland. After living on a farm in Kenyon, MN he moved with his family to a farm near Zumbrota, MN where he grew up. He graduated from Zumbrota High School in 1963, attended Morningside College in Sioux City, IA and eventually graduated from Mankato State College. He excelled in wrestling and was honored to be named into the American Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 1970, Duane married Glenda Williams in Burlingame, CA and moved to Zumbrota, MN soon after.
Duane was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for over 30 years. He served at the Zumbrota Post Office as Postmaster, and at the central post office in St. Paul as a supervisor where he received the best supervisor award 3 years in a row. He coached many youth sport teams and served as a substitute teacher for many schools in the area. Duane and Glenda were blessed with 2 children, Eric and Rebecca. Glenda passed away in March of 2017. In June of 2018, Duane was united in marriage to Sheryl Majerus of Rochester, and they made their home in Zumbrota. He was kind, honest and funny. His faith was very important to him, and he loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Duane is survived by his wife Sheryl; children, Rebecca Aaland of Rochester and Eric Aaland of Lake City; 2 grandchildren, Allison (Jay) Medin of Ireland, and Nicholas (Emily) Aaland of Prior Lake, MN; great grandchildren, Madilyn and Pearl Medin, Miles and Arlo Aaland; siblings, Philip (Norma) Aaland of Columbia, TN, Eunice (John) Halverson of St. Louis, MO, Owen (Lorraine) Aaland of Zumbrota, Nathan (Linnea) Aaland of Rochester, Sonja Aaland of Red Wing, MN; and many cousins and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Miriam "Mim" Gould and brother-in-law, Rev. Gary Gould; and an infant brother, Arne Aaland.
The memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Zumbrota, MN (1549 East Avenue, Zumbrota, MN 55992). Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester, at a later date. Memorial donations are suggested to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Online condolences are welcome and may be shared at mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
