Douglas Derner Passes at Age 61

Douglas G. “Doug” Derner, 61, of St. Paul, died on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul after courageously battling a degenerative brain disease.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, April 1st at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Reverend Steven Neal officiated. Recorded selections included “Even Though I’m Leaving” by Luke Combs, “One More Day” by Diamond Rio, and “Give Heaven Some Hell” by Hardy. Honorary pallbearers included Jim Krecji, Tim Ross, Larry Erdkamp, Al Minneman, Larry Hoback, Dwayne Maddox, Ed Caudell, Gary Lassen, Kenny Berger, Dave Emary, and Robert “Bunky” Watts. Inurnment followed in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. The St. Paul Fire Department and EMTs served as honor guard, escort, and gave the “Final Call,” at the graveside services.

Doug was born on July 29, 1961 at Burwell, the son of Ronald A. and Gayle L. (Conard) Derner. In 1964, the family moved to St. Paul, where Doug received his education at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School. He graduated from St. Paul High School with the Class of 1979.

After graduation, Doug began working for Falk Welding and Irrigation, and he later worked for Smith Welding, both in St. Paul. In 1988, he began working at Hornady Manufacturing in Grand Island as a ballistician. He worked there for over thirty years, until his health forced him to retire.

Doug was united in marriage to Rene C. Ackles on October 8, 1983 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul. The couple lived in St. Paul, where they raised their three children.

Doug was a true outdoorsman, as he loved hunting, fishing, camping, and trap and skeet shooting.

He was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul, the St. Paul Volunteer Fire Department for over twenty years, Single Action Shooting Society, and Pheasants Forever.

He is survived by his wife, Rene of St. Paul; children and spouses, Jared and Megan Derner of St. Paul, Jenna Derner and Austin Backer of Randolph, and Joelle Derner of Omaha; two grandchildren, Lincoln Elliot Derner and Everly Wren Derner, both of St. Paul; his father and his wife, Ron and Jan Derner of St. Paul, and his mother-in-law, Oline Ackles of Scotia.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Logan Derner; his mother, Gayle Derner; sister, Tammy DeLunger McKain; grandparents, Walter and Ella Conard and Alfred and Vera Derner; and his father-in-law, Dwight Ackles.