Duane “Red” Gerald Lindgren, 93, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, at The Cedars of Austin.

Red was born March 17, 1924, in Braham, Minnesota, to Nels and Olga (Carlson) Lindgren. He attended school in Princeton and Monticello and graduated from South St. Paul High School. Red enrolled at Augsburg College, but his college education was put on hold as he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps on Dec. 7, 1942. He served as a naval aviator until an honorable discharge in March 1945. Following his military service, he returned to Augsburg College, where he completed his education with a major in history. He had numerous outstanding achievements in baseball, football and basketball. Red is the only person to have been captain of all three sports his senior year and he was the first 12-letter winner. He was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978. Red’s baseball career started with a semi-pro team, the Saint Cloud Rox, in the summer of 1946. Red also became a member of the New York Giants organization. In 1948, Red was recruited by Emil Scheid to play for the Austin Packers baseball team and played with them until 1957. He hit the first homerun at Marcuson Park. In 1950, Red set a southern Minnesota record of hitting in 32 consecutive games with a .392 batting average while playing for the Packers. He also began his career at Hormel at this time. Red met Shirley Nicholsen in 1948 and they were married the following year. They had three children, Nick, Ann, and Ellen. He retired in 1984 from Hormel and became a caregiver for Shirley until her death in 1992. In 1995, Red met Donna Dosland and they have spent many happy years together. They have enjoyed summers on Bad Medicine Lake in Ponsford, Minnesota, and winters in Gold Canyon, Arizona. Red was a charter member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, the Austin Country Club, and the Night Owls. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include his son, Nick (Jeannette) Lindgren of Remer, Minnesota; daughters, Ann Lindgren of Austin and Ellen (Mark) Chrz of Oakland, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Marie (Adam) Helbach, Erin (Danny) Prazak, Andrea (Matt) Lange, Ryan (Kayla) Chrz, and Rachel (Nick) Wehner; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Enid (Emery) Thompson of Austin; nieces and nephews; and longtime special companion, Donna Dosland of Ponsford. Red was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Olga Lindgren; his wife, Shirley Lindgren; and his sister, Joyce Francis.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Karen Behling officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 5, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin with military honors by American Legion Post 91. Memorials can be directed to recipient of donor’s choice. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home in Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.