Duane Martha Besser was born on November 16, 1918, in Spicer, Minnesota to the late John Casper and Bertha Clara (Fritz) Nelson. She was baptized at a young age in Spicer. Duane received her early education in Spicer and graduated from Willmar in the Class of 1936. She then attended business school, finishing in 1942. On May 27, 1945, Duane was united in marriage to LeRoy Wallace Besser in Worthington, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with one daughter, Susan. After marriage, Duane and LeRoy lived in Worthington for a short time before moving to Sibley, Iowa. In February of 1950, they moved to Windom where LeRoy opened LeRoy's Shoe Repair. Through the years, Duane was active in the business along with being a stenographer. LeRoy passed away in January of 2005 in Windom. After his death Duane continued to live Windom and became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society-Sogge Memorial in Windom on January 20, 2012. She remained there until passing away Friday morning, January 30, 2015, at the age of 96 years. Duane was a longtime, active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Windom where she was a member of the choir, a deacon, trustee, circle chairman and women's association secretary. Duane is survived by one daughter, Susan Schmalz of Windom; one grandson, Lee (Amy) Schmalz of Westbrook; and several other relatives and friends. Duane is preceded in death by her parents; husband, LeRoy Besser and one sister, Genevieve Anderson.