Duane Dea Mailloux

Duane Dea Mailloux, 94, was born July 15, 1923, at Vale, SD to Napoleon and Bernice (Casteel) Mailloux. He passed away March 28, 2018, at the Hi-Line Retirement Center in Malta, MT of natural causes. Duane married Freda Reinhardt on May 14, 1945, in Rapid City, SD. Eleven days later, on May 25, he was inducted into the United States Marine Corp. While in the service a son Kelly was born. After receiving his honorable discharge in July 1946, he returned to South Dakota to his beloved wife and newborn son where they made their home. In 1948 their daughter Diane was born.

During his lifetime Duane farmed and ranched and was a self-employed construction worker. In 1997, he and Freda retired and moved to Malta, MT to be closer to their family. In his retirement years, Duane loved to tinker around in his shop, building things. He was always visualizing something he thought he could build and given time he always got it done. He loved his garden and every spring would get plants started in the house to be ready to set out when the weather turned nice. Duane made friends easily and was very thoughtful to everyone he knew. His family and especially his grandkids were very important to him and he made sure to tell you when they had a birthday coming up. He was so thankful to have good neighbors, especially Donna and Marlon Noyd and Kelly and Colleen Murray.

Survivors include his wife Freda of 72 years; son Kelly (Tina) Mailloux Shepherd, MT; daughter Diane (Mike) Erickson Saco, MT; brother Kenny (Mamie) Mailloux Vale, SD; sister Betty White Sturgis, SD; brother-in-law John Reinhardt Glenrock, WY; five grandchildren, Corey (Charisse) Erickson, Curt (Tedi) Erickson, Stacy (Shanon) Erickson, Brad (Darci) Mailloux and Christie (Daron) Linner; twelve great grandchildren; one great great grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Dale, Jack, and Lynn Mailloux and one sister, Shirley Smith.

At Duane’s request, no services were held locally. Interment with military honors was April 3, 2018, at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota. Condolences to the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.