Duane Ervin Brekken

Duane Brekken, 91, of Little Canada, MN passed away peacefully on November 2, 2026. Duane was born in Clara City, MN to Harold and Tryn Brekken on June 1, 1935.

Duane graduated from Tracy High School in 1953, graduated from St. Olaf in 1957, and earned his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in 1970.

He married the love of his life, Carol Ingerson, on October 5, 1963. They celebrated 63 years of marriage together. They have 2 daughters, Debra and Julie, and six grandchildren, Alex, Nick, Zack, Chase, Luke, and Lily. His family was of the utmost importance. He enjoyed his family time and always showed up for them.

Duane was an exceptional athlete. He played basketball, track, and football. He was chosen as an All American football player in 1956 and was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame at St. Olaf in 2004. He worked in Government Contracts as contracts manager for Control Data for the majority of his career. Early in his career he worked for First National Bank of Minneapolis and Honeywell, Inc.

He was a proud veteran. He was privileged to serve in the Army Reserves from 1957-1962. He served 6 months of active duty from June 1957 to December 1957 at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Riley and from October 1961 to August 1962 during the Berlin Crisis.

Duane was an active and passionate volunteer throughout his life. He served on many boards including church council as president, Lyngblomsten Care Center, Patchwork Theatre, and Bel Canto voices, to name a few.

He was an active member of the North Suburban Evening Lions Club achieving the high honor of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He was a longtime member of the Norske Torske Klubben where he also served as a board member. He delivered Meals on Wheels, served meals at Our Saviors Shelter, and devoted endless hours to local charities.

He was an avid sports fan of the Gophers, Vikings, and Twins - a voracious reader - and a music enthusiast.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Tryn Brekken, his brothers, Carol Brekken and Gale Brekken.

Survived by his wife, Carol Ingerson Brekken, daughters, Julie Cambronne and Debra Alvarado, 6 grandchildren: Alex, Nick, Zack, Chase, Luke, and Lily, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

We will celebrate Duane's Life on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at Como Park Lutheran Church, 1376 Hoyt Avenue W in St. Paul, MN 55108. His visitation will commence at 1:00pm, the service will be at 2:00pm, and an Ice Cream Social will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family. Donations can also be made in Duane's memory to: Valley Chamber Chorale or Como Park Lutheran Church.