Duane A. Senn

Duane Albert Senn, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2019. Duane fought a valiant battle with cancer giving it a run for its money. He showed courage and dignity, never wasted a moment to complain, and may have charmed a few nurses a long the way. Duane was born on November 13, 1942 in Hope, North Dakota. Raised with an independent streak and being the oldest of four siblings, his toughness started early walking both ways to school everyday in the snowy North Dakota winters and he showed his thirst for education by reading every book in his school library. As a standout student athlete, he lettered in Baseball, Basketball and Football playing the role of team captain for all sports. Duane was also named a National Prep All American High School Athlete for his Senior year of Football. He graduated from Hope High School in 1961 where watching a rival school basketball alumni game he met the love of his life, Rose Mary. She stole his heart with her clever and unconventional point guard skills. Later he went on to attend Vally City State University receiving a Bachelors Degree in History and Political Science. Moving to Colorado in 1971, Duane took a job with The City of Aurora as Chief of Survey retiring after 33 years of service. Duane's daughters, Denise and Traci were born just a few years after arriving in Aurora, Colorado keeping him busy with sports, band, orchestra, and countless other extracurricular activities. One of those activities he shared with his daughters was the love of coaching Fast Pitch Softball.

Duane's passion for youth sports made him an amazing softball coach. While he loved winning, he was more about good sportsmanship and having fun on the field. Going on to coach High School softball Duane continued to mentor many young people. One of the things he would always say in huddles, was "I'd rather be lucky than good."

After retirement, Duane was able to pursue his lifelong love of politics. He served on several boards in the City of Aurora including the Citizens Advisory Budget Committee, the Aurora Water Board, and served as the President of the Laredo Highline Association for several years advocating for the neighborhood and city that he lived in and loved. Duane was always one to speak up and fight for what he believed to be right and ethical, even if it contradicted popular opinion. But overall he was an optimist that believed in our political system, and that the system would balance itself out. In the end, Duane made sure his final mail-in election ballot was completed and sent off, filling it out from his hospital bed.

Duane left a wealth of wisdom to not only his family, but in his Letters to the Editor, and presentations to Aurora City Council.

He believed it was a small mind that could spell words only one way, never to make a bet you didn't know you would win, and life is never more fun than when you're the underdog competing against the giants. He truly believed sometimes you can learn more from failure than from success and that as long as you are true to yourself, you will always find happiness.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rose Mary (nee Jorgensen), his daughters Denise Weed (Michael Weed), Traci Waters (Trent Waters), grandchildren Darrien, Diego, Alec, Abbi, Jackson, Jaylynn, Preston, and Annabelle, brother Dale Senn, and sister Kathy Hill.

To celebrate Duane's life, a service will be held at Washington Park United Methodist Church 1955 E Arizona Avenue, Denver, CO 80210 on Tuesday November 5th, 2019 at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to The American Lung Association at lung.org.