Duane William Hoyer

Duane W. Hoyer, 89, of Rochester, MN passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at his home with his loving family by his side. Duane William Hoyer was born on October 13, 1933, in Morris, MN to Louis and Melanie (Bach) Hoyer. Duane's father was killed in a gravel pit accident seven months before his birth. Duane graduated from Morris High School in 1952 where he was a five-sport letterman in football, basketball, baseball, track and wrestling. His senior year he received the Lions Club "athlete of the year" award. Duane volunteered for the draft in 1953 and spent two years in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany. After returning home, he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Anne Anderson, in Morris, MN on September 17 1955 at Bethany Lutheran Church. In 1958, Duane started on the line crew with NW Bell Telephone in Graceville, MN. In 1959 he transferred to Appleton, MN as the local Manager with US West and to St. Cloud in 1966 as outside engineer before settling in Rochester in 1977 as a Fiber-Optic engineer. He later retired in 1990 after 33 years of service. Duane was an avid sports fan of the Vikings, Gophers, Timberwolves, and Twins. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, playing cards, and time spent with family and friends, especially at the cabin. Preceding him in death are his parents; son Alan; parents-in-law Carl and Edna Anderson; brother-in-law Allan Parson; brothers, Merlyn, Lloyd, Tookie (Harris) Louis; Sister Elna (Hill) infant sister, Elaine; and great grandson, Aiden; Duane is survived by his wife, Karen Hoyer; son, Randy (Xiumei) Hoyer and David (Brenda) Hoyer both of Rochester; grandchildren Peggy (Andy) Marx of Grand Meadow, MN, Ben (Rachael) Hoyer of Plainview, MN, Eric Hoyer of Eyota, MN, and Lisa Hoyer of Rochester, MN; 9 great-grandchildren, Dominik, Elizabeth, Ethan, Logan, Hailey, Keaton, Eli, Olivia, and Benjamin Jr, Sister in law Helen Parson of Morris and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday April 20, 2023 at 2PM at the Federated Church (200 S Columbia Ave, Morris, MN 56267) in Morris, MN. Visitation will be from 1PM to 2PM. Burial will be at Summit Cemetery in Morris. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes is honored to be serving the Hoyer family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.