Pastor G. Duane "Bogie" Baun

On Friday, March 5, 2021, Pastor G. Duane “Bogie” Baun of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota passed away at the age of 71.  Bogie was born in Norwalk, Ohio on June 10, 1949 to George and Marie (Justi) Baun and spent the first ten years of his life on a farmstead near Berlin Heights, Ohio.  He graduated from Huron High School in 1967.  He received a BA degree in psychology from Luther College, Decorah, IA in 1971.  Following an internship at Faith Lutheran Church in Duluth, MN, he graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN; and on June 20, 1976 he was ordained as a Pastor of the  Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at Zion Lutheran Church in Huron, Ohio.  He accepted his first Call to Ministry at Highland and East Highland Lutheran Churches in Brandt, SD (1976-1980), and then served parishes at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Veblen, SD (1980-1989); Hope Lutheran Church in Everly, IA (1989-2000); Christ, Singsaas, and Marble Lutheran Churches in and near Hendricks, MN (2000-2012);  and St. John’s and St. Paul Lutheran Churches near Madison, MN (2012-2015).  After retiring to Detroit Lakes in 2015, Bogie served a short term as visitation pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes.

While at Luther College, Bogie met Joyce Sponheim and they were married on August 22, 1971.  Together they raised two children:  Seth and Sarah.  In addition to his calling as pastor, Bogie was an avid gardener, loved mowing a well-manicured lawn,  enjoyed being outdoors:  golfing, fishing, camping, studying geology, and marveling at all of God’s creation.  He liked to travel to visit friends, family, children and grandchildren.  Bogie loved learning:  attending clergy text studies and men’s Bible study breakfasts.  He participated in community groups and activities (Kiwanis).  He served as volunteer chaplain at hospitals and with Hospice.  He loved to read science fiction.  Favorite movie and TV series included Star Wars, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, and CSI.  In his spare time, he was busy with woodworking projects and keeping his cars immaculate.  Bogie especially loved church potlucks, coffee and treats while visiting his parishioners, family reunion picnics, pizza, and all things butterscotch.  Although a diabetic, he always found a way to compensate for a “cheat treat.”

Bogie is survived by his wife,  Joyce; their two children: Seth (Kelly) and their daughters, Kadence and McKinsey of Colorado Springs, CO and Sarah (Daniel) Strehlow of Irvine, CA; his brothers: Keith (Melinda) and Craig (Beth); Joyce’s mother, Mildred Sponheim; Joyce’s sisters:  Ann (Jeff) Fisher, and Mary (Bob) Grey; Joyce’s brothers: Don (Karen) and Dean (Lucinda);  15 nieces and nephews;  30 great-nieces and nephews; many relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents:  George and Marie (Justi) Baun, an infant brother, Joyce’s father, Norman Sponheim, and Joyce’s brother-in-law, Rev. David Bartlett.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with a prayer service and time of sharing beginning at 6:30 pm for family and friends on Thursday, March 11th at David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN.  The Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 12th at Trinity Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes, MN.  The family is planning a celebration of Bogie’s life and ministry on June 20th, 2021, the 45th anniversary of his ordination, for all family and friends.  Interment will be in the Rock Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Osage, IA at a later date.

The family requests memorials be given in Pastor Bogie’s memory to The Cottage at Ecumen in Detroit Lakes,  Hospice of the Red River Valley in Detroit Lakes, the American Diabetes Association, or the Alzheimer’s Association.