Duane Albert Nasner, age 67, passed away and into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on March 10, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona.
Duane was born March 17, 1952 in Bozeman, Montana, to Albert and Agnes (Dyk) Nasner. He was raised along with his younger sister Rosella on the family farm south of Wolf Point and attended grade school at Sunnyside School and moved on to jr. high at Frontier School. Growing up he excelled in music, academics, and athletics, graduating from Wolf Point High School in 1970. He played basketball at Seattle Pacific University for one year before transferring and graduating with an agribusiness degree from Montana State University in 1974. Duane met the love of his life, Shirley Fast, when they were in high school and they were united in marriage on June 30, 1973 at the MB Church in Lustre. After Duane finished his degree at MSU, Duane and Shirley moved back to the family farm south of Wolf Point where they farmed and ranched. In Duane’s early farming years, he worked for Farmers Union Oil (Cenex) constructing over 60 grain bins in northeast Montana, and later worked for the ASCS office. Duane and Shirley were blessed with two children, Lynae and Scott. They later sold their cattle to focus on farming in the Nickwall, Vida, Sheep Creek, and Hubbard Road areas, with their son, Scott.
Duane lived his life in the words of Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” Duane accepted the Lord at a young age and later in an outward showing of faith was baptized. He faithfully attended Gospel Fellowship Church where he loved being a big part of the Awana Program, leading youth group, teaching Sunday School and serving as an Elder on the church board. He and other volunteers recently assisted in building and finishing the new church when the old building was destroyed by fire.
Duane enjoyed refereeing high school basketball for 17 years and also coached jr. high basketball in Wolf Point for one season. He served on various boards including Agland for 36 years and Ag Partners LLC since its inception in 2012. Duane especially liked volunteering at the Wolf Point Stampede and was looking forward to his 50th class reunion this summer.
Duane was very proud of and took a special interest in his grandchildren, watching them grow, encouraging them, and supporting them in their many endeavors. He was often seen teaching them in the field, and following them to music and sporting events. Duane was also known to indulge a grandchild’s sweet tooth. Most importantly, he was a spiritual mentor to his grandkids by sending them verses and speaking God’s truth into their lives.
In 2009, Duane and Shirley began to travel to Arizona to take in the warmer winter weather. They enjoyed visiting with friends, golfing, hosting family and friends, hiking, playing bocce ball and pickleball, and riding bicycle. They also attended the many sporting events and concerts around the Mesa/Phoenix area.
Those who will miss Duane are his loving wife of 46 years, Shirley; his daughter, Lynae (Gary) Gackle and their children, Hannah, Caleb and Grace; his son, Scott (Jennifer) and their children, Xavier, Kate, Matthew and Myah; and his sister, Rosella (Duane) Kurokawa and their children, Aaron (Kristen) and Lisa. He is also survived by his father and mother-in-law, Harvey and Gladys Fast; two sisters-in-law, Joan (Keith) Unger and Jean (Ken) Joiner; brother-in-law, Warren (DeeDee) Fast; 10 nieces and nephews and 20 great nieces and nephews. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Agnes Nasner.The family would like to thank everyone for their many kind words and gestures.
If friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to Gospel Fellowship Sunday School (children’s ministry) or the Wolf Point 100 Club.