Duane Ernest Malek

Duane Malek, 62, passed away on Friday, September 28, at the home that he so lovingly built for him and his wife Bev, surrounded by family and friends.

A Mass of Christian burial for Duane Malek will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at 10:30 am at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 2343 Navy Avenue, in Duncan with Rev. Paul Lipstock and Rev. Dennis Miller being concelebrants. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Duncan.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 1, 2012, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be said at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Duane was born in Mason City on April 22, 1950, to Ernest and Clara Malek (Drabek). He grew up in the Duncan-area and attended school at Hayfield and then later Garner-Hayfield, where he graduated in 1968. He married Bev Hesley on August 1, 1970, in Duncan. They lived on a farm by Britt when first married and then moved to Wesley where he worked for the K&H Coop. Three kids later, they decided to move to Duncan and made that their home for the past 35 years. Duane started working construction when they moved to Duncan, walking in the same footsteps of his father and grandfather.

Duane started his own construction business in 1987, Duane Malek Construction, and worked as a general contractor for 25 years. He was a true craftsman and took much pride in his work which can be seen throughout the community. He was a hardworking, strong, honest and humble man who was adored and respected by many. He loved to laugh, spend time with family and friends, and to share stories, of which there were many. He was always giving of his time and talents to help others. He enjoyed fishing, building, landscaping, gardening, had an enormous sense of curiosity, and loved finding solutions to problems. He was very active in his church, St. Wenceslaus in Duncan, where he was a member for 62 years, and he was a charter member of the Britt Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his father Ernest Malek; his wife Bev; three children and spouses: Jason Malek and his wife Amy, Jeremy Malek, and Jen Swearingen and her husband Mike; five grandchildren: Taylor, Logan, Kaitlyn, Madison and Parker; three sisters: Darlene, Bev and Diane; three brothers Gary, Ed and Marvin; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Clara Malek, his nephew Brent, and three brother-in-laws John Roberts, Bill Edington and Steve Hesley.