Duane Irwin Maerten

Duane Irwin Maerten, 87, Westminster, MD, passed away on Dec 8th, 2024. Born in North Tonawanda, NY, he was the son of Irwin W. and Alice W. (nee Gombert) Maerten. Duane graduated from North Tonawanda High School and attended Concordia Seminary. He served as a Lutheran Vicar, teacher, custodian, and handyman before his thirty-year career as a software programmer for the Social Security Administration. Duane retired in 1992 and restored the Frances Shipley Housen in Westminster, as part of Maryland’s curatorship program.

 Duane had a talent for carpentry. He loved history, photography, and baseball, coaching several of his children’s youth teams. Duane also loved hunting, fishing and crabbing. Surviving Duane are his sister Marian Klumpp; children, Maria Hale, Ted, Greg, Paul, Mark, and Mike; grandchildren, Christina Buck, Kara, Jeff, and Luke Hale, Rachel Forshee, Caroline, and Grace Maerten, Alexis and Kylie Hailslip, Patrick, Nancy, David, Serena, Summer, Sarah, Jack, Kate, and Benjamin Maerten; and one great grandchild, Isabella Buck. Preceding Duane in death are his parents, and siblings Janet Loret and David Maerten. 

A Celebration of Life date and time is to be determined. Please contact one of his children for more information.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Duane’s name.