Duane Payne

Duane Walter Payne March 4, 1917 – October 9, 1944

Duane was born on March 4, 1917, in Motley, Minnesota, to Walter G. Payne and Laura B. (Williams) Payne. He was raised with strong Midwestern values of hard work, faith, and patriotism.

On October 24, 1940, he married Lorna A. Hagen in Todd County, Minnesota. Together they began building a life centered on love and family. Duane was a devoted husband and father who especially enjoyed playing his guitar and spending time with his wife and their three young children.

With World War II underway, Duane answered the nation's call and enlisted in the United States Army on February 11, 1944, in Brainerd, Minnesota. He arrived in Liverpool, England, on February 24, 1944, before landing in Normandy, France, on June 14, 1944, as Allied forces fought to liberate Europe.

He served with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, where he courageously fought in the European Theater. During combat operations in Germany, Duane was wounded and reported Missing in Action on October 9, 1944. After a year of uncertainty for his family, he was officially declared Killed in Action on October 9, 1945.

Pvt. Payne's bravery and faithful service were recognized with numerous military honors, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

He is survived by his grandchildren: Walter (Lori) Payne, Linda (Dennis) Bowman, Annette (David) Brieger, Michael Payne, and Jodi Reid; 19 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lorna Payne; his children, Joyce (JD) (Marilyn) Payne, Clarice Ann Payne, and Quentin Leroy Payne; his parents, Walter and Laura Payne; his brother, Ivan Payne; and his sister, Iras Chapin.

“With deep gratitude to our hero, we honor the life and service of Pvt. Duane Walter Payne, a true patriot who laid down his life protecting the freedoms we hold dear.”

A visitation will be held from 10am – 12pm on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Staples. Burial will be held at 2pm at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, September 11, 2026.