Duane Joseph Gast, a resident of Prior Lake, entered eternal peace, at the age of 70, Monday morning, December 8, 2014, with his loving family present by his Minneapolis Veterans Hospital bedside.
The family will greet guests on Wednesday, December 10 from 4-7 pm and Thursday, December 11 from 9:30-10:30 am, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, December 11 at 11 am, at The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne (St. Mark) 350 Atwood Street, Shakopee, MN. Father Michael Ince and Father Gene Pouliot will preside. Duane will be laid to rest with family at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery, Shakopee, MN. Full military honors will be provided by the Shakopee Veterans Memorial Squad.
On March 4, 1944, in Corcoran, MN, Duane was born the fourth of seven sons to parents, Celestine “Sam” and Anna (Laumann) Gast. His family lived in St. Michael, Waconia, Marystown, before settling their roots in Shakopee. When Duane was old enough to earn extra money for his family, he enjoyed helping out local farmers, with all the tasks of farm life. Duane graduated from Jordan High School in 1963.
Duane proudly served in the United States Army, in communications. For over 30 plus years, Duane worked as a machinist at Anchor Glass. When he turned 62 years of age, Duane retired and enjoyed his many years at the at the hobby farm in Eden Valley.
On June 27, 1970, at the Church of St. Mark, in Shakopee, MN, Duane married Joan Ince. They were blessed with five children, Stephen, Duane, Bryant, Kathryn and Samuel. As a family, they enjoyed camping and visiting many state parks and campgrounds throughout Minnesota.
In his younger years, Duane enjoyed deer hunting and later years duck hunting. But over the years, his true love was having a fishing pole in his hand, fishing, a passion he was delighted to share with his children and grandchildren. A jack-of-all-trades, Duane was a hands on type of man who could fix just about anything. Duane was also a talented woodsman, who loved to spend time in his wood shop. His masterpiece was building his family’s home in Shakopee. He enjoyed playing Sheepshead, Poker and Cribbage.
Strong willed and independent, Duane was best known for his love for his family. Left to honor his life and mourn the death is Duane’s wife of 44 years, Joan; children, Stephen (Diana) Gast, Duane (Renee) Gast, Bryant (Rachel) Gast, Kathryn (Nathaniel) Kibodeaux, Samuel Gast; grandchildren, Jacob Gast, Owen Gast, Devin Gast, Katelyn Gast, Briana Kibodeaux, Alexander Kibodeaux; brothers, Virgil (Agnes) Gast, Kenneth Gast, Floyd (Jan) Gast, Ronald (Jeannie) Gast; sister-in-law, Beverly Pierson: other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Duane home to God are his parents, Sam and Anna Gast; brothers, Arthur Pierson, Edwin (Millie) Gast; and sister-in-law, Karen Gast.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Shakopee Chapel, proudly served the Gast family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
