Duane Fredenberg

Duane Harry Fredenberg passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Jan. 16, 2009, after a brief battle with cancer.

Duane and his twin brother Dale were born to Anson and Ruth Fredenberg in Kalispell on June 14, 1926, the 12th and 11th of 16 children. As a boy, Duane helped with the family farm and began a lifelong love of music when he taught himself how to play the harmonica.

At 17, Duane enlisted in the Navy, serving as a range finder operator during World War II. His service included witnessing the formal surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay while stationed aboard the battleship USS Mississippi.

After he was discharged, he moved back home to the Flathead Valley. He followed in his father’s footsteps, working for a time as a mail carrier in Kalispell before moving to Whitefish and beginning a 40-year career with the railroad. During a stop in Cut Bank, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Nelson, and they married in June 1966.

After retiring from the railroad, Duane had more time to play his fiddle, and most weekends he could be found playing at jams with his friends and brothers Roger, Dale and Orin. Duane won the Montana State Fiddle Contest Senior Division, and this year he will be inducted into the Montana Old Time Fiddlers Association Hall of Fame, alongside his brother Dale.

Duane was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy; his parents; four sisters; six brothers; and children Pamela and Daniel.

He is survived by 14 children, Grant, Amy and husband Scott, Shelly and husband James, Brenda and husband Trent, Janine and husband Don, Karla and husband Elmer, Bruce, Cyndi and husband David, Greg and wife Trina, Michael, Marlene and husband Jim, Joe and wife Mona, Elaine and husband David, and Donna and husband Thor; 30 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; sisters Carol Patterson and Miriam Mack; brothers Dale, Orin and Les Fredenberg; and numerous nieces and nephews; and countless, dedicated friends.

Memorial services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Whitefish on Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. with a reception following. A celebration of Duane’s life will take place at the Idle Spur in Dayton on Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. where he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In the spirit of Duane’s generosity, the family suggests donations be made to the Pamela Fredenberg Memorial Scholarship fund at First Interstate Bank of Whitefish, or Home Health-Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop No. 100, Kalispell MT 59901.