Duane "Candy" Fraki

Duane Israel Fraki passed away on January 30, 2026, at age 96 at Vitality Living in New York Mills, MN. He was born on September 9, 1929, in New York Mills to the late Midian Ludwig and Anna Elizabeth (Hagel) Fraki.

Duane attended Country School at District #160 in Otto Township. He attended New York Mills High School and graduated with the class of 1948. Following graduation, he began working for the Great Northern Railroad as a station agent.

In 1951, Duane enlisted in the United States Navy where he served honorably until 1955. After his military service, he resumed work with the Great Northern Railroad until 1956 and then with the Northern Pacific Railroad until 1957.

Pursuing further education, Duane attended Brown Institute in Minneapolis to study electronics. He later worked at Unevac in St. Paul, repairing computers until 1963. That year he relocated to Alaska where he was employed as a Station Agent and Yard Master for the Alaska Railroad. He remained there until his retirement in 1982, after which he returned to his hometown of New York Mills.

Duane found joy in the outdoors and especially enjoyed fishing on Big Pine Lake and deer hunting.

Preceding Duane in death were his parents; infant brother Paul; brother Dudley; sisters Doris and Mavis

Duane is survived by brother James, many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.

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