Duane Melvin Sanderson

Duane Sanderson passed away peacefully at Regina Hospital in Hastings, Minnesota on September 18, 2025.

Duane was born May 12, 1940, in Grafton, North Dakota, son of Clifford and Beatrice Sanderson. He grew up on a farm in the Red River Valley of North Dakota, with his sister, Dorothy and brother, George. At 8 years old, he was driving the 1 ½ ton 1937 Ford truck in the fields. He recalled fondly the summers in Willow City at his grandparents’ farm and of times working in the field.

Graduating from Drayton High School, he excelled in math and chemistry, played a little football and the trumpet. He attended UND in Grand Forks where he achieved his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Around this time, Duane went on a blind date to the MN State Fair. It is there where he met Patricia Borchert, a recent graduate of nursing school and his future wife.

Shortly after getting his degree in chemical engineering, he was off to Newport, Rhode Island as a Navy Officer candidate and then commissioned as an ensign in the US Navy. The Saturday after commissioning, he flew to Minnesota and married his sweetheart, Patricia. The following day, he caught a plane to Newport. There he learned naval communications, including cryptology. Pat and her mother drove out to Rhode Island to meet up with him. Eventually they made it to San Diego, where he reported aboard his ship, a destroyer, the USS Hull DD-945. He was very passionate about his time in the Navy as a “Tin Can Sailor”, working as Chief Communications Officer and Officer of the Deck. The Navy sent him to many places in the Pacific, including Hawaii, the Philippines, Japan, and into the Vietnam War. I’m sure many of you have heard his stories! He liked to tell stories. His daughter, Lisa was born during their time in San Diego.

After being discharged from the Navy, Duane, Pat, and Lisa returned to North Dakota, where Duane got his master’s degree in chemical engineering. He accepted a job as a process engineer in the chemical division of 3M company. The family eventually settled in Hastings, MN where they made their home, and had two more children, Kris and Scott. Duane had a successful career at 3M. In 1971 the family moved to 3M Belgium where Duane had the job as a technical manager to help make the plant work or close it. After two years, and successfully keeping the plant afloat, he returned to Minnesota. Many years later he was asked to return to Antwerp where he was plant manager, reporting directly to the division Vice President. He was able to travel throughout Europe with work and with his family, giving his family enriching life experiences, adventures, and friendships.

He liked to garden (where he always checked the pH of the soil) and fly small airplanes with the 3M Flying Club. He enjoyed golfing, traveling, woodworking, and spending weekends at the cabin and time with grandkids. In retirement, he worked for H&R Block and AARP doing taxes and also spent some winters in Arizona with Pat.

Duane was a man of faith and very active with Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Hastings. He served on the church council, was financial committee head for three years, then was elected Council President. One his most loved accomplishments was being one of the founding members of the Men’s Bible Study Group at church. This group of men, that continues to grow, meant so much to him. The members became lifelong friends, sharing their faith, learning, laughing, and enjoying fellowship.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and proud of his Norsk heritage and his family. He will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Sanderson; his son, Scott Sanderson; his parents, Clifford and Beatrice Sanderson; and his sister, Dorothy Johnson.

Duane is survived by his children, Lisa (Paul) Phillips and Kristine Pini; grandchildren, Ryan Sanderson, Adam Sanderson, Jasper Pini, and Sierra Pini; brother, George (Marlane) Sanderson; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Hastings with a visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings.

Arrangements are with Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.