Duane Grundhauser, 87, of Lefor, North Dakota, passed away peacefully at home on December 19, 2022, with his wife Bea at his side. There will be a time of sharing at 2 p.m., Friday, December 23, 2022 at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Lefor with Mass to follow. Fr. Dennis Schafer will celebrate Mass. Interment with Military Honors will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan at a late date. Visitation will be one hour prior to service.
Duane was born on the family homestead near Lefor on September 10, 1935. At an early age of 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and obtained his GED during that time. He was stationed at Fort Cronkite, California near San Francisco. His Battalion worked with guided missiles. After his discharge in 1956, he returned to North Dakota and began working with Standard Oil as a bulk delivery driver. He married Beatrice Kadrmas on November 29, 1956, in Dickinson. He continued to work for Standard Oil until his father retired from farming and moved into town. He and Bea moved to the farm in 1959. Duane remained on the farm until his death.
He loved the land and farming and was deeply involved in his community. Duane served on the Lefor Public School board for 30 years. He was Secretary for the Farmers Union Elevator from 1973 to 1981. He was instrumental in the creation of Southwest Grain and delivered the first load of grain to the elevator when it opened. He remained on Southwest Grain’s board of directors until he retired from farming. Duane also served 29 years on the Stark County Planning and Zoning Committee Board. Duane was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus having served as the North Dakota State Deputy 1981-1983. He also belonged to the Eagles, Elks and St. Anthony Club.
He loved his family with all his heart and enjoyed spending holidays and summers with all of them, most especially his three grandsons. From showing them around the pastures, to teaching them how to drive tractors and ATVs, he always made sure his grandsons had the most fun out on the farm when they came to visit. One of the boys’ favorite memories was a road trip they took with Duane in the summer of 2012 and stopped at all his favorite food stops along Interstate 94.
Duane is survived by his wife Bea of 66 years, Lefor; his children: Deborah (Perry) Ottmar, Carver, MN, Russell (Karen), Eden Prairie, MN and Craig, Dickinson; grandsons, Benjamin, Michael, and William; siblings: Ann, Eugene, Grace (Lester) Schiltz and Delores (Richard) Faller; step-brother, Jack (Evelyn) Waleri; and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Christine (Schiff) Grundhauser; brother, John (Liz Krebs); brothers-in-law: Adam Krauter, Alvin Kadrmas, Ron Larson and Ervin Schiff; stepmothers, Lena Heidecker and Anna Waleri.
Memorials may be made to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.
