Gary Duane Duren Sr.

Gary Duane Duren Sr. was born on July 10, 1943. He was a good, but complex man, as anyone of us that were a part of his life knew. His life wasn’t easy, as he grew up being the middle child of 18 brothers and sisters. Gary was on his own at the age of 13 and survived on the streets of San Francisco, California. At the age of 20, he moved to Minnesota where his sister Shirley and her husband Dee lived. Gary got a job at the carnival in Hutchinson, MN where he met Elaine and her sister Barb. This is where his life truly began. Elaine and Gary were Married October 30, 1964. Together they raised 4 children: Darla, Sheila, Gary Jr and Kevin. Gary worked for the state of Minnesota Department of Transportation in Saint Paul Park, MN for over 20 years as highway maintenance senior. He truly cherished this job until retirement in the mid 1980’s. Gary had charm, wit and could crack a good joke, even up until he passed, he was still making jokes. Gary had a will to survive, a drive to get things done and he was someone you could count on. Gary loved Jesus and his family deeply. Gary is survived by his wife, Elaine MaRay Duren (Bartell) of Adams, WI, Children: Darla Duren of Otsego, Minnesota, Sheila Lee of St. Francis, Minnesota, Gary Duren Jr (Lena) of Wyocena, WI and Kevin Duren (Christina) of Friendship, WI. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Brandon, Kayla, Andrew, Dustin, Derek, DaNele, Alex, Allyson, Alayna, Adam, Abel and Marcus and step-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Cameron, Erich and Hannah as well as 16 Great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and friends. Gary was proceeded in death by his parents Albert and Alma Duren, sisters Arlene, Deanna, Carol, Shirley. Brothers Lyle, Gerald, Albert Jr and Glenn. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Madison Community Seventh Day Adventist Church from 11:00am-3:00 p.m. Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, WI handled Gary’s cremation. A special thank you to Pastor Rowell Peudivan for opening the church for our family.