Virnel Duane Bell
9/20/1940 – 5/10/2024
Duane led an interesting life. He was born in Boise, Idaho, and graduated from local
schools. His first marriage was to Diana Woody, with whom he had four boys: Duane Jr.,
Justin, James, and Jeff. The two would divorce years later.
Duane attended Northwest Bible College in Kirkland, Washington. It was there that he
studied Religion and Music, playing the violin. Duane’s love for music didn’t stop with his
education. He loved playing the guitar and had a beautiful voice.
After, he worked for the Ada County Sheriff’s Department for six years. It was during his
time with the Sheriff’s Department that he encountered a call about a suicidal man.
Once on the scene, Duane proceeded to consol the man and quote him bible verses
which would ultimately talk the man down and save his life. This encounter left a lasting
effect on Duane’s life. Afterward, Duane would work as a manager for his local
Albertsons.
Duane then made the move to Alaska working for Alaska Commercial and Carr Goltsein
as well as other small retail companies. He would fly his plane to Bush, Alaska to help
set up stores and worked there for twenty-eight years.
Duane moved back to Boise to help take care of his elderly mother. It was after moving
that he met Lynnette Soper Patterson. After a courtship, they married in 2004. It was
then that he inherited his stepson Zane Patterson. They would then move to Colville,
Washington where Duane would be diagnosed with throat cancer. He would soon beat
the cancer.
He then decided to become a pastor and moved back to Boise, Idaho. He worked as a
volunteer chaplain for years. He would then retire after the pandemic of 2020.
Duane and Lynnette bought a house in Nampa where he continued his ministry every
day. The two began attending the Nazarene church in Nampa on Karcher Road. He
would talk about the lord with everyone he saw and truly loved spreading the gospel.
Duane had many friends that he loved dearly. His adopted sister Patricia Yates is one of
the few people he has known his whole life. He loved her as well as her daughter
DeEtte and her son Tony. Duane also had a deep love for animals including his dogs
Duke and Baron.
Duane was preceded in death by numerous relatives including, his mother, father, and
his son Duane Jr.
He is survived by his wife Lynnette, and his sons Justin (Holly) Bell, James Bell, and
Jeff Bell, step-son Zane (Shellie) Patterson, and Patrica, DeEtte, and Anthony Yates.
Services for Duane will be held June, 8th, 2024 at Nazarene Church on Karcher Road
@ 1:00 pm. A light lunch will be served.
Services in Colville, Washington will be held at a later date