Duane Curtis Oedekoven

Duane Curtis Oedekoven, October 27, 1953 - September 4, 2022 Duane Curtis Oedekoven, age 68, died at home, of natural causes on September 4, 2022. Duane was born October 27, 1953 to Arthur and Leora (Yuill) Oedekoven in Deadwood, South Dakota. He grew up on the family farm west of Vale, on Whitewood Creek, with his four brothers and one sister. He attended Vale Grade School and graduated in 1972 from Newell High School. He ran cross-country and was a long distance runner in track in high school/college. He was named to Who’s Who in high school track in South Dakota in 1973. He attended the University of South Dakota, at Springfield, on a track scholarship. He attended college for three years with a focus in auto mechanics. Duane always had a kind spirit and during his developmental years he always helped his mother with his brother Dennis, who was wheelchair bound. He loved to spend time with his cousin Ray riding motorcycles and hunting. He enjoyed hunting rabbits and fox, and would often walk for miles alone while hunting. He loved to tease the family dog named King. Duane would park his pickup in the yard and as he was getting out of the pickup he would move real slowly hunched over. King would go crazy growling and barking like he caught an intruder. Then Duane would resume normal posture and King would come running to greet him. He worked as a mechanic several years at Hersruds of Belle Fourche, South Dakota. When he lived in Belle Fourche he was a member of the Church of Christ and was baptized July 25, 1989. In 1990 he moved to LaGrange Wyoming to partner with his brother Danny. Together they ran the LaGrange Garage serving both Wyoming and Nebraska customers. Duane retired from the business in 2021. He was close to his niece Amy and his nephew Jared. He was a quiet man with a kind heart and will be missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dennis and sister Kathy. He is survived by his brothers; Dale (Ginny) of Moorcroft, Wyoming, Danny (Peggy) of LaGrange Wyoming and Delwin (TJ) of Spearfish South Dakota. A graveside service will be held September 10, 2022 at the LaGrange Cemetery at 10 AM. A gathering of family and friends will be held following the service at the LaGrange community center. Colyer Funeral Home of Torrington, Wyoming is trusted with the arrangements.