Duane E. Brodersen

D

uane Edwin Brodersen, 82, was born in Florence MO on November 6, 1936, and passed away on September 12, 2019 in Columbia, MO.  He was the third child of Arthur and Maude (Thomas) Brodersen. His family was joined by two more sisters, and he grew up around Otterville, MO.

Duane’s early education was in Otterville, Mo where he played basketball, played in the band, loved dancing, raised chickens and rode his horse Geronimo in 6 foot of snow delivering papers every day of the year. He was a class officer each year of high school and president of the student council in his Sr. year.

After high school graduation in 1954, he attended Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg and met the love of his life, Cynthia Burns.  He and Cynthia were married August 8, 1958. They made homes in Prairie Home, the farm in Otterville, Lowry City, Lincoln and returned to the farm in 1999.  On their 61 year journey together Duane and Cynthia were joined by 4 children: Dana, Benny, Cary and Matthew.

After graduation Duane taught industrial arts, health, driver’s education, and coached boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball at Prairie Home and Bunceton.   In 1964 he received a Master’s degree and became the principal in Bunceton. In 1970 he earned his Specialists degree and took his first Superintendent position in Lowry City that same year. During this time he also served on the Central Missouri State University Advisory Committee.

In 1972 the family of six moved to Lincoln after he accepted the Superintendent position at Benton County R-II. Duane worked the next 17 years at Lincoln, which completed his 31 year career in Education.  Following his first retirement, he was elected Benton County Presiding Commissioner, adding another 4 years of public service. In the 1990s he was elected to serve 12 years on the State Fair Community College Board.    Then Duane entered his second retirement and returned to his passion of farming. Duane and Cynthia continued to live in Lincoln while she completed her teaching career, and he traveled to the farm several times each week.  In 1999 they constructed a new home at the farm and he became a full time farmer.

Duane accepted Christ at 14 years of age. He maintained membership and was active at Baptist Churches in Otterville, Prairie Home, Syracuse, Lowry City, Lincoln and Tipton.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Becky Ann Brodersen and Linda Fry. He is survived by his wife Cynthia,  his four children: Dana (Bob) Aikin of St Louis, Bennett (Stacey) Brodersen of Kingsville, Cary (DeeAnn) Brodersen of Otterville, and Matthew (Karla) Brodersen of Columbia, nine grandchildren: Amy (Tyler) McCall of St Louis, Eric Aikin of St Louis, Austin (Anna) Brodersen of Midland, TX, Brandi Brodersen of Warrensburg, Aaron (Alison) Brodersen of Milwaukee, WI, Colten Brodersen of Kingsville, and  Noah, Samuel and Lillian Brodersen of Columbia; and two great-grandchildren: Sullivan and Elizabeth McCall of St Louis. Also surviving is his brother Tom (Doris) Brodersen of Shenandoah IA, and his sister Goldie (Chuck) Jones of Lee’s Summit; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at First Baptist Church in Tipton.  Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, September 16, 2019, at Heckart Funeral Home in Sedalia.  Burial will be in Syracuse Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to the First Baptist Church in Tipton or the Alzheimer’s Association.