Duane “Dewey” Dobitz, 65 of New England, passed away on November 22, 2019 at St. Luke’s Home in Dickinson, surrounded by his family after a long courageous battle with cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday November 27, 2019 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England. Visitation for Duane will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with rosary at 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service. Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to service at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the New England American Legion Anton Ulijohn Post #66. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan.
Duane was born on May 27, 1954 in Dickinson, to Fred and Violet (Krebs) Dobitz, the fourth of fifteen children. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School, New England, in 1972. Duane enlisted in the United States Army in 1972, served in Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1975. He attended Bismarck Junior College and graduated from the carpentry program. After graduating from BJC, he worked for Koffler Manufacturing in New England.
Duane married Louann Morast on June 14, 1980 at Immanuel Lutheran church in Zap,. He worked construction for Wagner Brothers of Reeder, and Candee Construction of Dickinson before working for Hettinger County for 30 years. After retiring from Hettinger County, he worked for Stang Farms Regent. During his years of work, he served in the North Dakota National Guard from 1984-2006. He served in the Dickinson unit retiring in 2006. He served in Iraq during Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005. While he was in the National Guard, he also served in Italy, South Korea, Honduras, and Canada.
Duane’s children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He enjoyed attending all their activities. He also enjoyed reading, playing cards, doing Sudoku, riding horse, especially in the Badlands, and sharpening knives on the peddle stone.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus 9675 of New England, VFW Post 3444 of Dickinson, and American Legion Anton Ulijohn Post 66 where he served as a Commander, Chaplain, and a member of the Honor Guard.
Duane is survived by his loving wife, Louann; children Drew (Angel) Dobitz, Gillette, Wyo. and their children Maikyla and JR; Becky (Garret) Johnson, Hazen; and Brad (Arica) Dobitz, Scranton, and their children Nicholas, Nathaniel, KateLynn, Olivia and Victoria; his mother Violet, Dickinson; siblings, Sister Annette Dobitz, Dickinson; Ken (Dee), Bowman; Diane (Jean), Mankato, Minn.; Roger, Sioux City Iowa; Gord (Cynthia), Dickinson; Carol (Kirk) Lindell, New Richmond, Wis.; Doll (Craig) Highet, Osakis, Minn.; Paul (Nelson), Chicago, Ill.; Teresa (Dave Schaaf) Davis, Delta, Colo.; Lou (Jenny) Killdeer; Pete (Joyce) Dickinson; Cill (Lee) Skabo, Dickinson; Gail Dobitz, Dickinson. Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Connie Sailer, Beulah; Dallas (Rhonda) Morast, Center; Dean (Debbie) Morast, Mandan; and Jerry Isaak, Dodge; numerous nieces and nephews; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by father, Fred Dobitz; brother Gerald Dobitz; nephew Marcus Dobitz; brother-in-law Mike Davis; father-in-law and mother-in-law Ervin and Marian Morast; sister-in-law Sandy Isaak; and niece Shawna Isaak.
