Duane Lewis Champlin

Duane Lewis Champlin, 70, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, October 3rd, 2025, at his home in Austin with his loving wife and best friend, Julie by his side.

Duane was born November 1st, 1954, in Austin, Minnesota, to Ory Ann and Donald Champlin. A 1973 graduate of Austin High School, Duane devoted many years of his life to working at Hormel Foods Corporation, predominantly in the Transportation Department where he spent time on the phone directing trucks and joking with many of his colleagues who became life-long friends. On July 5th, 1980, he married the love of his life, Julie and they went on to devote their lives to loving and caring for each other for 45 years until his passing. Duane enjoyed fishing, hunting, and time outdoors. His adventures took him to lakes, land, and rivers all throughout the US and Canada. Duane’s love of the outdoors brought him fun, lots of laughs, a bit of debauchery, and connection with beloved friends and family. He loved to reminisce about his many adventures and was a true outdoorsman who celebrated the beauty of nature. Duane spent decades volunteering and working at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center where he shared his knowledge of wildlife, trees, and plants with visitors of all ages.

Another one of Duane’s greatest joys was his two daughters, Nicole and Lisa, and later in life, his six grandchildren. He loved watching them grow and was the proudest papa there ever was. Duane was a two-time kidney transplant recipient, receiving a kidney from two of his brothers, Doug in 1993 and David in 2011. Both were a perfect match, and their profound gift not only extended his life, but made them our family’s forever heroes.

Survivors include his wife, Julie; daughters, Nicole (Adam) Lorentz of Holmen, WI and Lisa (John) Trygstad of Lino Lakes, MN; his siblings, Jan (Dave) Wistrcill of Forest Lake, MN, Doug Champlin, David Champlin, sister-in-law, Judy Champlin of Austin, MN, in-laws, John and Laura Bridley of Santa Barbara, CA; his grandchildren, Weston, Carson, Jackson, Bode, Bear, and Scout, along with many nieces, nephews, and beloved family. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Ory Ann and Donald Champlin; his brother, Daryl Champlin; and nephew, Evan.

Duane will be remembered for his hard-working, joke-filled and caring spirit. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 1st, 2025, at the Ruby Rupner Auditorium at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Come and join the celebration of life of this amazing husband, father, brother, son, and friend. We’d love to hear your stories and memories of Duane. So come reminisce, and celebrate the kind, funny, and devoted person he was. He will be missed so very much.

Our family would like to give special thanks to Mayo Hospice for their incredible care in his final days. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center or donor’s choice. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.