Duane Charles Brunner

Duane Charles Brunner of Cashmere, WA, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on February 27, 2017. He was 83 years old. Duane was born to Arnold and Dorothy Brunner in Fairfax, MN on September 24, 1933. Duane moved to Cashmere, WA, with his family as a nineyear-old and attended Cashmere Schools. As a youth, he built wooden apple boxes to be used in the local orchards. During his school years, he played baseball and football. He continued his athletic endeavors playing both football and baseball at Wenatchee Valley College. His kids and grandkids remember his curveball, "Uncle Charlie". While at Wenatchee Valley College, Duane courted Dorothy Jagla, taking her out for chocolate malts at Dusty's in downtown Wenatchee. They were married in Wenatcheeon October 9, 1954. They returned to Fort Bliss and Fort Hood in Texas after they married. He served as a Corporal and specialized in artillery maintenance. Duane was honorably discharged June of 1955. After his stint with the Army, Duane went to work at Valley Tractor in Wenatchee, where he was employed for 40 years. He was a volunteer firefighter for 42 years, while also serving on the Cashmere School Board for 12 years. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Francis Xavier in Cashmere and a member of the Washington Horticultural Association. Duane and his brother, Vernon, purchased an orchard and expanded their operation to include several other orchards. He enjoyed snowmobiling with his kids, playing pool on Wednesday nights with his close friends, and traveling throughout the southwest with Dorothy. Duane rarely missed a chance to support Cashmere Schools and Bulldog sporting events. Attending his kids and grandkids sporting functions were great highlights for him. Duane and Dorothy raised five boys in Cashmere. Duane was preceded in death by a son, Steven Brunner; his parents; and one brother, Gerald. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 62 years; siblings: Vernon (Dee) Brunner, Shirley Allyn and Barb Roach; children: Ken (Tammy) Brunner, Matt (Janine) Brunner, Chris (Marci) Brunner, Adam (Nicole) Brunner and Nick (Jenn) Brunner; grandkids: Taylor (Jesse), Tyler (Vanessa), Steven (Tiffany), Colin, Kylie (Jake), Jamie, Ryan (Stephanie), Cody (Kelly), Derek, Mackenzie (Chase), Kandace, Shelby, Emma, Millie and Colson; and 12 great-grandkids. There will be a Rosary and Mass on Friday, March 10, 2017, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Cashmere at 3:30 p.m. for family and close freinds. There will be a Memorial Service on March 11, 2017, at Cashmere High School at 10:00 a.m., with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Duane's name to the Cashmere Foundation, 210 South Division, Cashmere WA 98815. The family would like to sincerely thank every one for the generous outpouring of prayers and support. Arrangements are assisted by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA.

Duane Charles Brunner

September 24, 1933 - February 27, 2017