Duane "Chopper" Geske

Geske, Duane R.  “Chopper”

Age 65

Of Stillwater

Chopper was born in 1954 in Springfield, MN to Evelyn and Louis Geske. He grew up in Milroy with his brother Jerry and graduated from Milroy High School in 1973. He was married 36 years to Susan Wittig of Somerset, Wisconsin, who together raised their daughter, Nicole, and son, Neal, in Stillwater, MN. Chopper & Sue were members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stillwater.

Chopper is a graduate of Pipestone meat cutting school and was 42 years a union meat cutter, as well as a proud executive committee member of UFCW union. Evenings he could be found in his garage, sipping from a mug while watching sports, butchering & smoking meat, and making sausage. Once the work was done, he would relax by catching up with a friend or family member in person or on the phone. Chopper preferred to spend weekends up at the cabin in Villard, MN. There he enjoyed fishing, boating, grilling, the annual booyah, evening sunsets, and campfires. He relished any opportunity to go hunting or fishing and reveled after winning a game of cribbage. Family was a priority throughout his life and he enjoyed hosting and cooking for holidays and reunions.

Chopper was a generous spirit who was known by many and loved by all. He built special and lasting relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, finding a unique way to share his love with all those in his life. All who knew Chopper will miss his gruff humor, unassuming and approachable demeanor, kind heart, and selfless giving nature.

During the summer of 2019, Chopper was unexpectedly diagnosed with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML). After several weeks in hospice care, Chopper passed peacefully on Sunday evening, September 8th in the company of his loving family.