Duane Curtis Stensrud, 85

Duane Curtis Stensrud, age 85, passed away on May 27, 2020, from COPD at Schneidmiller Hospice House.

He was born in Albert Lea, Minn., on Feb. 14, 1935 (Valentine’s Day), and what a joy he was to his parents, Curtis Gerald Stensrud and Margery Edna Jensen. Dad was a carpenter, building barns and also the home they lived in, in Freeborn, Minn., population 300.

After first grade in Freeborn, the family headed west on the Milwaukee Road (by train) so his father could work as a carpenter, building Farragut Naval Base for the war effort. Duane remembers sitting on the siding while the troop trains passed, waving at the soldiers.

Housing was scarce during this time and living quarters were an erected tent on Government Way in Coeur d’Alene, where the Black Sheep Sporting Goods store was originally located. They lived in the tent until Duane started school at Roosevelt Elementary in the fall of 1942. Later, the family moved to a house on East Mullen and 16th Street. Duane was then transferred to Harding Grade School.

The war effort was coming to a close, so the family moved to Haugen, Mont., where his parents opened up a lunch counter, (the two white buildings are still standing near the $50,000 Silver Dollar Bar). Duane attended a one-room schoolhouse where his aunt, Alice Coleman, taught school. She taught all six grades with a total of 10 students.

After attending school in Haugen, the family bought a 200-acre “stump” ranch at Turner Creek on the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Duane had many adventures and loved the ranching life. He attended and graduated from Harrison High School in 1953.

After graduation, Duane worked various forest service and construction jobs but eventually enlisted in the United States Navy, in 1957, becoming a Seabee, and he was stationed in Guam as a surveyor. After boot camp but prior to being deployed, Duane met Judy Jolly of Portland, Ore., whom he eventually married and returned to Guam with. He was honorably discharged in 1963.

Duane worked construction as project manager for bridges, highways and dams around the state of Oregon. They started a family in 1959 with son Steven, and had three more kids: daughter, Selena (deceased), and sons Dana and Daren. With the growing family, he decided that he would pursue a real estate career, eventually owning his own brokerage business in the Portland area.

Duane’s fondness of ranching pulled him to central Oregon, where in the mid-’70s he bought a ranch in the Tumalo area, by Bend. He enjoyed raising cattle, riding horses, roping and riding snowmobiles.

The family broke up and he returned to Coeur d’Alene in the mid-’80s. He and his horse, Smokey, team roped, placing second in the Coeur d’Alene Rodeo.

Duane enjoyed all outdoor sports — ocean fishing, boating, water skiing with the boys, hunting and snowmobiling. Later in life, he spent time riding ATVs in the mountains around Idaho and Montana.

Duane reconnected with his dear friend, Cheryl Marcheso, and spent 19 blissful years enjoying life with her, traveling to Baja, Mexico, and driving their motorhome around the states to camp and ride ATVs.

He was a member of the Eagles in Coeur d’Alene, Back Country ATV Club and CDA Snowmobile Club. He attended First Presbyterian Church where he assisted in church projects.

Duane was a loving, kind and gentle man, and he will be greatly missed by Cheryl; son, Steven; Dana (Debbie); Daren (Angie); his grandchildren, Jessica, Jeremy, Melisa, Ty, Cody, Brandon and Colton; as well as multiple nieces and nephews.

As per his wishes, there will not be any services held, but the family will gather in the summer to spread his ashes per his request.

A heartfelt thanks to Hospice Schneidmiller House for the kind and loving care they gave Duane during his last days.

It is requested that donations be made to Hospice of North Idaho in lieu of flowers.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Duane’s memorial and sign his online guest book www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.