Duane James Granger II

Duane James Granger Jr., 91, of Pine City, MN, died Friday, June 27, 2014 at Lakeside Medical Center in Pine City, MN. Duane was born on February 21, 1923 to Duane James and Elvera (Carlson) Granger in Minneapolis, MN. He married Patricia Mary Callahan on October 21, 1940 at The Little Brown Church in the Vale, in Nashua, Iowa. Together they had seven children.  Duane worked as a machinist for Honeywell in his youth and later went on to start Machine Products with a partner, in Hopkins. He eventually ended up at EDCO Products, which produced Aluminum Siding, also in Hopkins, working as a foreman where he built and manufactured the machines used to run the aluminum siding. Jim and Pat moved to Pine City, MN building the home that Duane resided in for the rest of his life. Sadly, Patricia passed away on January 16, 1992. Jim found solace in his friends during that time and fell in love with Vivian Johnson whom he married on June 14, 1997.  He and Vivian enjoyed many fun and relaxing years together until Vivian passed away on August 14, 2003. After two years of sorrow and sadness Duane found happiness again and married Helen Johnson, from Duluth on October 21, 2005. They spent the rest of their years together enjoying each other’s company on the farm, until Helen passed away on January 8, 2014. He was a loving husband and loving father to five boys and two girls.  The younger grandchildren truly enjoyed their Grandfather’s farm and it was always something to look forward to at the end of the week when they got to go to the farm.  He would take the grandchildren to the drug store to get black jelly beans or off to A&W for ice cold Root Beer.  After wearing out the grandchildren he would head for his recliner and take a nap.  He was an inspiration, mentor and clearly someone to look up too, with a grin that was priceless. Jim is survived by his children: Duane J. Granger III (Julie) of Prior Lake, MN, Colleen L. Engman of Fertile, MN, David R. Granger (Joann) of Pine City, MN, Patricia E. McLaughlin of St. Louis Park, MN, Bruce A. Granger (Katherine) of Buffalo, MN; grandchildren: Jeffrey S. Granger (Kathleen) of Hampton, MN, William J. Granger of San Diego, CA, Heather V. Granger of Minneapolis, MN, Matthew J. Granger (Katherine) of Tonka Bay, MN, Terry Bratvold (Dan) of Crookston, MN, Leslie Engman (Christy) of Crookston, MN, Lynda Baskerville (William) of Tracy, MN, Lorra Sip (Tony) of Ada, MN, David J. Granger (Nicole), Susan M. Bradley (Tracy) of Chambersburg, PA, Tammy M. Webb of St. Louis Park, MN, Dale S. Webb (Stephanie) of Hudson, WI, Douglas J. Granger (Andrea) of Pine City, MN, Christina D. Troy (Timothy of Monticello, MN; 26 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren, and sister: Constance “Connie” Batdorf (Gordon) of Plymouth, MN. He is preceded in death by parents: Duane & Elvera (Carlson) Granger, wife:  Patricia M. Granger nee: Callahan, wife:  Vivian Granger nee: Johnson, wife:  Helen A. Granger nee: Johnson, son: William J. Granger, son: Dale G. Granger, and two of his son-in-laws, Leslie Engman and Wally McLaughlin. Funeral services for Jim Granger will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2nd with visitation and reviewal one hour prior to the service all at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City. Interment will be in Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis on Thursday, July 3rd. Arrangements are with the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com