Duane & Shelbee Jean Kaufman

Duane J. Kaufman, age 93, and his wife of 68 years, Shelbee Jean “Tootie” (Henning) Kaufman, age 87, of Alexandria, died peacefully together as the result of an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in their home on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Belle River with Fr. Matthew Kuhn presiding. Music will be provided by the Bells. Interment will take place at the church cemetery with full military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and the Veteran’s Memorial Honor Guard.

The visitation will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude with a time of sharing at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, April 8th, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Duane Joseph Kaufman and Shelbee Jean “Tootie” Henning built a life defined by faith, hard work, and an inseparable bond. Their journey began on June 6, 1957, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Belle River when the two sweethearts married and vowed to cherish one another—a promise they kept for the rest of their lives. Born in Howard, South Dakota, in 1932, Duane was the eldest of seven children. After graduating from Slayton High School in 1951, he served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany from 1954 to 1956. Shelbee Jean, born in 1938 in Miltona, grew up on her family farm and graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1956. An avid accordion player, she carried the music of her childhood into her adult life.

The couple initially moved to Rockford, Illinois, where they raised their four daughters: Brenda Kay, Paula, Jodi, and Kristi. Duane, often joking that he lived in a “woman’s dorm,” embraced his role as a girl dad, filling their hobby farm with mini-bikes, snowmobiles, and ponies. Their shared passion for antiques eventually became their vocation. Duane loved his walnut and Shelbee Jean preferred her primitive pine. Whether meticulously restoring pieces together, they worked side by side and took immense pride in their business, "The Country Refinishers." In 1979, they returned to Minnesota to be near family, settling into a beautiful home on Lobster Lake.

Deeply committed to their Catholic faith, Duane and Shelbee Jean shared a lifetime of devotion. They found daily strength in the Portals of Prayer and Jesus Calling and made it a nightly tradition to hold hands and pray for their family. They were also members of the Church of St. Mary where Shelbee Jean was active in the Daughters of Isabella. When they weren't working, they were adventuring. They loved long rides on their Harley Davidson, took pride in their red Chevy Silverado and were blessed to spend over 20 years wintering in Yuma, Arizona.  Yet, their favorite place was always home—hosting grand 4th of July celebrations and welcoming their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with open arms.

They were preceded in death by their parents; infant son, Douglas; grandson, Steven; Shelbee Jean’s infant sister, Jean and brother, Kenneth; and Duane’s siblings, Betty, Janet, Frank, Sharon and Mary.

Duane and Shelbee Jean are survived by their four daughters, Brenda Kay (Gary) Hernesman of Grand Rapids, Paula (Mike) Flanagan of Cold Spring, Jodi (Mike) Grengs of Taunton, and Kristi (Tom) Schabel of Alexandria; Duane’s sister, Char of Spring Lake Park; Shelbee Jean’s sister, Elaine of Alexandria; sister-in-law, Vergene of Alexandria; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren with two on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

Casket bearers for Duane are Mike Flanagan, Mike Grengs, Brooke Hernesman, Spencer Hernesman, Nick Flanagan, and Lori Ecker. Casket bearers for Shelbee Jean are Gary Hernesman, Tom Schabel, Zach Brusven, Cole Brusven, Tayler Smith, and Carl Henning.