Duane Lee Tonsager, 72, of Browerville, died April 12, 2010, at Lakewood Health System in Staples.

A memorial gathering is planned for April 21, 2010, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples, followed by a luncheon at the Leader Community Hall.

Arrangements are with the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Duane was born Jan. 23, 1938, in Eagle Bend, to Ernest and Margaret (Eckel) Tonsager. He grew up in the Staples area, graduating from Staples High School. He completed computer programming training, becoming a programmer.

He worked in the computer field in many areas of the United States but the majority of his career was spent in Minneapolis working for several of the major computer companies there. He moved back to the Staples area in the early 1980s. In July of 2001 he married Joyce Jensen.

Duane is survived by one daughter, Kim (Roger) Schneider of Staples; two sons, Tod (Julie) Tonsager of Randall; Steve (Mary Kay) Tonsager of Ramsey; five step children, Nolan Cory of Washington Nyrea (Mike) Thielgas of Otsego; Nyanne (Jeff) Angell of Forest Lake; Nylynn Cory of Staples; Nathan Lawson of Forest Lake; four grandchildren; 12 step grandchildren; two step great- grandchildren; and one brother, Larry (Muriel) Tonsager of Portland, Ore.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife. A00006B2010AR15