Duane Don Stjernholm

Duane Don Stjernholm, of La Junta, CO, went home to his creator, in the early morning of July 5, 2024, after a long battle with lung cancer and COPD. He born December 7, 1951, on Pearl Harbor Day, in La Junta. He was the second son to Ernest & Lois (Ridennoure-Friedenberger) Stjernholm. 

Duane went to Cheraw Consolidated school from first grade through graduation in 1969. In His graduating class of 10 students, he was co-valedictorian with longtime friend Fred Wallace. He then attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO.

 After graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology, he joined the Peace Corps and served in the Philippines teaching irrigated farming. On return to the United States, Duane pursued a master’s degree in theology from the Iliff School of Theology. From that point of Duane’s life he worked many service industry jobs in hotels from bartending to sales & marketing manager. 

At age 50 he found and married the love of his life, Carly (Krantz). They were married on the top of Pikes Peak. They moved back to the Arkansas River Valley and purchased a home in La Junta to be near his mom, Lois in March of 2017. The spiritual and service soul of Duane’s life always served him well to gain many many lifelong friends. 

Duane passed peacefully in his sleep and is survived by his wife Carly Stjernholm of the La Junta home; mother, Lois Freidenberger of La Junta; brothers, Ronald Stjernholm, Darwin (Kathleen Peters) Stjernholm, Rob (Alicia Chambers) Stjernholm, Dean (Paula) Stjernholm; and nephew, Sam Stjernholm. He is preceded at heaven’s entrance by his only sister, Doris Fay Stjernholm, and father, Ernest Stjernholm. 

Duane’s passion was to help the world be a better place in man’s dealing with man and keeping the environment clean for the future generations. 

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.