Funeral service for Duane M. "Uncle" Gronau, 81, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Monday, August 15, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at the Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD with Rev. Enright BigHorn, John Cloud III, and J.C. Crawford officiating. Pianist will be Mary Beth Kirk. Pallbearers will be Beeman Seaboy, Brian Rodlund Sr., Junior Heminger, Nicky Crawford, Wayne German, Jerome Renville, and Gerald "Smokey" German Sr.. Honorary Pallbearers will be "All of Duane's Family and Friends." Interment will be in the Goodwill Presbyterian Cemetery, Agency Village, SD. There will be a wake service on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD. Duane was born on January 9, 1930 at Sisseton, South Dakota, to Herman and Irene (Crawford) Gronau. He attended country school and after his education he farmed with his father. Duane was never married because he didn't want a woman telling him what to do. He also worked in Dupree, SD breaking horses and working cattle. Duane was a member of the SWO future ranchers, raising livestock, which was founded by his mother Irene and the Health Counsel. His first horse was a stick horse, which lead to a passion and love for horses, which lead to breaking and gentling them into saddle horses. Duane competed in rodeos for several years. He competed in the saddle bronc, bareback, and bull riding events in Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Duane also drove a truck and a road packer for tribal roads for a living. He was also a hired hand for local farmers and ranchers. Duane enjoyed traveling, and bumming around with his niece Patty. He also loved to visit with his friends in the bars, drinking his pop. Duane really wanted to see the ocean before he died, and he did this summer. Duane died on August 12, 2011 at the Coteau Des Prairies Hospital, Sisseton, SD.
Duane is survived by one niece Patricia and Greg Harles of Agency Village, SD, four great-nieces, Trina and Darin Fonder of Sisseton, SD, Heidi Jo Kurtz of Riverside, CA, Amber Harles Keeble of Peever, SD, and Ashley Harles of Rapid City, SD, one great-great niece , Cierra Fonder of Sisseton, SD, four great-great nephews, Austin and Garrett Fonder of Sisseton, SD and JaRae Harles and Bently Keeble of Peever, SD, and one Adopted brother Basil Robertson.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Curtis "Corky", and one sister, Loreli, and one nephew, Ricky Runyon.
For Duane's obituary and on-line registry please visit www.cahillfuneralchapel.com