Duane Franklin Enns

Duane Franklin Enns, age 69, passed away on December 11, 2025, after a year-long battle with esophageal cancer mixed with complications from a previous heart attack in 2022. A memorial service will be held on January 24, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church, 460 75th Ave NE, Fridley, MN 55432, where Duane was an active member and lent his carpentry knowledge and skills to help with numerous projects. A visitation will start at 10:00am, followed by a memorial service at 11:00am. A luncheon will be served afterwards. Duane was born June 27, 1956, in Billings, MT. His mother and brothers relocated to the small town of Sleepy Eye, MN, in 1962, where Duane spent his childhood. Baseball held a special place in Duane's heart, but he truly loved all sports. He had many friends and extended family in the area, including the Wotschke family farmstead, where his maternal grandparents and family resided. Many stories and fond memories. His upbringing was often described as a classic "Leave it to Beaver" lifestyle of a small town farming community. Duane is survived by his wife, Mitzi (Malin) Enns; daughters Tessa Enns and Anna Enns-Broz; sons-in-law Federico Ocampo and Austin Broz; grandchildren Zariah Enns and Levi Broz; and his older brother, Dale Enns. Duane is preceded in death by his mother, Adeline (Wotschke) Enns; his younger brother, Dean Enns; and his father, Frank Enns. After high school, Duane attended Austin Vo-Tech in Austin, MN, to study carpentry and become a journeyman carpenter. Upon graduating, he founded his own homebuilding company, Enns Construction, which built residential homes from the ground up. Eventually, when his first daughter was born, he joined the Carpenters Union Local 322 for more stable working hours and income. His lifelong career was spent as a union carpenter employed by a local contracting company until he retired in 2016. Duane loved working with his tools and saws to build furniture or tackle remodel projects. He was adept at performing repairs and rebuilds as needed, to the delight of his wife and appreciated by his daughters, family members, and friends throughout the years. Duane enjoyed family and always looked forward to family events. He led an active lifestyle that included playing softball for many years of his adulthood alongside several of his childhood friends, many of whom are close to this day. As a lifelong sports enthusiast, he was an avid fan of the Twins, Vikings, and Timberwolves, and studied the game as though he were training to become their next coach. During his oldest daughter's hockey playing days, which were throughout grade school and high school, Duane took on the role of the St. Louis Park Girls Hockey program coordinator, helping to facilitate players and coaches for his daughter's hockey team. He helped to recruit and build the program, bringing much success, which led to an achievement award presented to him by the hockey association - something he was very proud of. Recently, however, he was the biggest fan of his basketball-playing granddaughter, Zariah, and his grandson, Levi, who played in a toddler soccer league this fall. Chronic pain and his illness did not stop Duane from managing to attend many of his granddaughter Zariah's games over the past year and most of his grandson Levi's "games" this fall. He was and will always be their number one fan. Much of Duane's life was spent at the family cabin, which he helped build and develop from a woodsy lot to a beautiful, lofted lake home. Weekends were filled with boating, visiting neighbors, enjoying the natural beauty, and tackling cabin projects. These moments were cherished highlights of his life, and he will be deeply missed by his lake cabin friends. One of his favorite hobbies was gardening. Every summer he would plant tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, squash, and an array of peppers (including several hot varieties). He enjoyed using them to make hot sauces or adding them to his meals or cooking creations. Most of them were too hot for anyone but him to consume - except for his daughters, who were fed these peppers from childhood and developed a taste for them. Duane's daughters and grandchildren were the joy of his life. He was a devoted father, loyal husband, and a good friend to many. He traveled through life with an easygoing, fun spirit and always made a point to include and think of others when coordinating events. He was a friend to many. His generous heart, sharp insights, and big smile will be missed by all who knew him. "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." John 11:25

Tributes

Duane Franklin Enns

June 27, 1956 - December 11, 2025

Tributes

Duane Franklin Enns

June 27, 1956 - December 11, 2025

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