Durand G. Lutz, 63, Dickinson, died Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at MedCenter One, Bismarck, after a tough battle with cancer and surrounded by his family. Funeral services for Durand will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 30, 2011 at St. John Lutheran Church, Dickinson with Rev. Lisa Lewton officiating. Cremation will follow the service and Inurnment will take place on Friday at 12 p.m. CT at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military honors will be provided by the New England American Legion Anton Ulijohn Post #66 following the funeral service. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.
Durand was born April 19, 1948 to Ralph and Hazel (Johnson) Lutz. He grew up on a farm south of New England, attended the Strehlow Township School through the 7th grade, and then attended New England Public High School, graduating in 1966. He attended Dickinson State College from 1966 to 1968.
He served honorably in the United States Navy from 1968 to 1972. During his time in the service he attended different schools and was an aircraft hydraulic specialist. He was stationed in Norfolk, Va., and served aboard the USS Forestall for a brief time during training missions during the Viet Nam War.
Durand married Lanetta Mellmer on June 14, 1975, they lived in New England and farmed south of New England for 12 years. He then worked for BLM for two years prior to attending truck driving school in Omaha, Neb. Durand began driving truck for Schneider in Green Bay, Wisc., from 1989-1994. He owned his own truck from 1994 to 2004, and from 2004 to 2010 he drove for TMI and most recently for Baker Boy, until ill health forced his retirement.
He enjoyed driving truck for 22 years with his special buddies, (his three mini pincher dogs, Chassey, Hershey and Buddy). He also enjoyed fishing, watching NASCAR, and spending time with his grandchildren and family.
Durand is survived by his son Michael (Kari) Lutz, Dickinson; daughter, Dakota (special friend-Trevor) Myran, Dickinson; special friend Lanetta Lutz, Dickinson; six grandchildren, Jordan Lutz, Kjerste Lutz, Regan Lutz, Kaitlyn Myran, Brooklyn Myran and Ryder Fink; one sister, Sandra Strommen, Dickinson; five brothers, Dennis (Rita) Lutz, New England, Scott (Lonnie) Lutz, Brentwood, Calif., Jeffrey (Candice) Lutz, Dickinson, Bradley (Elmire) Lutz, Los Angeles, Calif., and Greg (Val) Lutz, Dickinson; many nieces and nephews; father-in-law, Raymond Mellmer, Reeder; and two brothers-in-law, Ronald Mellmer and Randy (LuAnn) Mellmer, New England. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother-in-law, Ronald Strommen; and his mother-in-law, AlVera Mellmer.