Official Obituary of
Duane Lee Fels
October 2, 1937 ~ January 3, 2018 (age 80) 80 Years Old
Duane Fels Obituary
Our Dad, Duane Lee Fels, 80, of Anaconda passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of January 3, 2018, of natural causes. His companion and "angel" Barb, his son Scott, daughter Pamela and 2 beloved dogs Lucy and Maggie were with him.
Born on October 2, 1937 to Leo and Elsie (Daniels) Fels in Little Falls New York, Duane grew up in Little Falls often sharing fond memories of adventures in the woods behind his house with his older brother Danny. He also had wonderful stories of the people in his neighborhood growing up. At a young age he worked for his father in his bar and grill, Leo's Place and at 16 went to work for Loblaws where he began a lifelong career in the meat cutting industry. In 1959 he married Jean Anne Harwick and relocated to Schenectady. They later divorced. In 1960 they welcomed their son Scott followed by their daughter Pamela in 1965. In addition to Loblaws he worked for Sam Kitler at S Kitler Wholesale Meats for 5 years adding another subject of fond memories. In 1971 the family moved to Helena, Montana where he became a meat cutter for Safeway until 1973.
In 1975 he married Sheri Jones in Coeur D' Alene, Idaho and settled in Deer Lodge on "his 80 acre", where he worked for the Montana State Prison as a meat cutter for 10 years. In 1979 they welcomed their daughter Stephanie. In 1984 they relocated to Salmon, Idaho where he owned Rocky Mountain Custom Pack. After a few years the family moved to Rexburg, Idaho owning a custom meat cutting business in Rigby Idaho and also working as a meat cutter for Dave's IGA in Ashton Idaho. Duane and Sheri later divorced.
In 1995 he remarried in Helena, Montana and welcomed 3 stepchildren, Rosie, Leo and Maria. They settled in Ashton, Idaho, eventually relocating to Butte where he owned Columbian Garden Espresso, Pudgy's, and Duane's Specialty's and Meats. He enjoyed his time in the restaurant business, following in his father's footsteps.
In 2008 he moved to Helena for a short time before moving to Big Timber, Livingston and finally settling in Anaconda.
He loved the outdoors, the beauty of Montana and its wildlife. A favorite was "watching the bears", and also visiting Yellowstone National Park and going on picnics and daytrips in the mountains with his companion Barb. He loved baseball, Willie Mays, the San Francisco Giants, summer and its warmth. He loved cooking for his family and friends and perfecting his craftsmanship by making the best homemade sausages and meat specialties that were forever being requested of him. He loved collecting coins and stamps, collecting rocks, panning for gold and history. He loved walking, being active and staying healthy. Everyone who knew our Dad spoke of his kindness, friendliness and his desire to help others. He had an incredible work ethic and a day off consisted of working harder than he did on any given work day.
He is preceded in death by his father Leo, mother Elsie, and brother Daniel. Survivors include his companion, friend and amazing caregiver Barbara Suhr of Anaconda and their dogs Lucy and Maggie, as well as her children and grandchildren. Son Scott Fels and partner Jenny of Missoula, daughter Pamela Eldridge and husband John of Helena, daughter Stephanie Fels and partner Thomas of Wake Forest, North Carolina. Stepchildren Rosie Garcia and sons Luke and Carter of Anaconda, Leo Garcia and daughter Myrah of Butte and Maria Garcia and son Canyon of Butte, grandchildren Clifton Fels and fiancée Jackie of Connecticut, John Justin Eldridge and fiancée Mary of Helena and Tara Eldridge of Helena, great grandchildren Josaline Rose and John Clayton Eldridge of Helena, and Audrey Grace Pritchett of Helena. Survivors also include numerous cousins.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial will be held later this summer in a beautiful place Dad enjoyed spending time.
We extend a special thank you to Hospice Anaconda Pintler and their staff for the wonderful care and support they gave to Dad and Barb in his final days. Words cannot express our appreciation and gratitude.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Duane's name to charity.
Born on October 2, 1937 to Leo and Elsie (Daniels) Fels in Little Falls New York, Duane grew up in Little Falls often sharing fond memories of adventures in the woods behind his house with his older brother Danny. He also had wonderful stories of the people in his neighborhood growing up. At a young age he worked for his father in his bar and grill, Leo's Place and at 16 went to work for Loblaws where he began a lifelong career in the meat cutting industry. In 1959 he married Jean Anne Harwick and relocated to Schenectady. They later divorced. In 1960 they welcomed their son Scott followed by their daughter Pamela in 1965. In addition to Loblaws he worked for Sam Kitler at S Kitler Wholesale Meats for 5 years adding another subject of fond memories. In 1971 the family moved to Helena, Montana where he became a meat cutter for Safeway until 1973.
In 1975 he married Sheri Jones in Coeur D' Alene, Idaho and settled in Deer Lodge on "his 80 acre", where he worked for the Montana State Prison as a meat cutter for 10 years. In 1979 they welcomed their daughter Stephanie. In 1984 they relocated to Salmon, Idaho where he owned Rocky Mountain Custom Pack. After a few years the family moved to Rexburg, Idaho owning a custom meat cutting business in Rigby Idaho and also working as a meat cutter for Dave's IGA in Ashton Idaho. Duane and Sheri later divorced.
In 1995 he remarried in Helena, Montana and welcomed 3 stepchildren, Rosie, Leo and Maria. They settled in Ashton, Idaho, eventually relocating to Butte where he owned Columbian Garden Espresso, Pudgy's, and Duane's Specialty's and Meats. He enjoyed his time in the restaurant business, following in his father's footsteps.
In 2008 he moved to Helena for a short time before moving to Big Timber, Livingston and finally settling in Anaconda.
He loved the outdoors, the beauty of Montana and its wildlife. A favorite was "watching the bears", and also visiting Yellowstone National Park and going on picnics and daytrips in the mountains with his companion Barb. He loved baseball, Willie Mays, the San Francisco Giants, summer and its warmth. He loved cooking for his family and friends and perfecting his craftsmanship by making the best homemade sausages and meat specialties that were forever being requested of him. He loved collecting coins and stamps, collecting rocks, panning for gold and history. He loved walking, being active and staying healthy. Everyone who knew our Dad spoke of his kindness, friendliness and his desire to help others. He had an incredible work ethic and a day off consisted of working harder than he did on any given work day.
He is preceded in death by his father Leo, mother Elsie, and brother Daniel. Survivors include his companion, friend and amazing caregiver Barbara Suhr of Anaconda and their dogs Lucy and Maggie, as well as her children and grandchildren. Son Scott Fels and partner Jenny of Missoula, daughter Pamela Eldridge and husband John of Helena, daughter Stephanie Fels and partner Thomas of Wake Forest, North Carolina. Stepchildren Rosie Garcia and sons Luke and Carter of Anaconda, Leo Garcia and daughter Myrah of Butte and Maria Garcia and son Canyon of Butte, grandchildren Clifton Fels and fiancée Jackie of Connecticut, John Justin Eldridge and fiancée Mary of Helena and Tara Eldridge of Helena, great grandchildren Josaline Rose and John Clayton Eldridge of Helena, and Audrey Grace Pritchett of Helena. Survivors also include numerous cousins.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial will be held later this summer in a beautiful place Dad enjoyed spending time.
We extend a special thank you to Hospice Anaconda Pintler and their staff for the wonderful care and support they gave to Dad and Barb in his final days. Words cannot express our appreciation and gratitude.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Duane's name to charity.
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