Duane Schrag: 1932-2021
Duane Schrag, 89, of Freeman, S.D., passed away on Nov. 10 at the Salem Mennonite Home. A memorial service will be held on Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Salem-Zion Mennonite (North) Church of rural Freeman.
Duane C. Schrag, 89, passed away on Nov. 10, 2021, at the Salem Mennonite Home in Freeman, S.D. He was born March 30, 1932, on a farm near Marion, S.D. His parents were Charles (Speck) Schrag and Adina Preheim Schrag. In 1947 he was baptized upon his confession of faith into the membership of Salem-Zion Mennonite Church.
After a two-year tour of duty in the U.S. Army, Duane received his AB degree from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D. He then taught secondary English and German 34 years at Tripp High School in Tripp, S.D.
Duane married LaVonne Heckel Kleinsasser on June 30, 1982. They lived in Tripp until June, 1995, when they purchased a home and moved to Freeman.
After his retirement from teaching, Duane enjoyed donating his time as historian and archivist at Heritage Hall Museum and Archives in Freeman. He was also able to write and publish his book, The Pitiless Wave: A World War II Story. He spent many years fishing and hunting both small and big game. But macular degeneration eventually ended these activities. Duane donated his body to science at USD Medical School, Vermillion.
Duane leaves to mourn his wife, LaVonne; four stepchildren: June (Joe) Walker, Greg (Kathy) Kleinsasser, Cindy Kleinsasser, and Julie (Dan) Aughenbaugh; seven step-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren and one step-great-great-grandchild; four sisters: Shirley Waltner, Donna (Clyde) Smith, Flora (Bill) Skillern, Mae (Monte) Nelson, and 10 nieces and nephews.
Preceding him were his parents and brother-in-law, Calvin Waltner.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Salem-Zion (North) Mennonite Church, 27844 443rd Ave., rural Freeman. The service will be live-streamed and available to watch at salemzion.com.
