Duane Erickson

Rugby

Duane Everett Erickson, 91, Rugby, died December 1, 2024, at Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, ND.

Duane was born in Rolette, ND on January 11, 1933, to Ole H. Erickson and Coranda Adele (Anderson) Erickson of Wolford, ND. Because it was cold and stormy, they took the local train to the hospital in Rolette.

He graduated from Wolford HS in 1951. When Wolford restarted its basketball program during his senior year, Duane provided the team’s name of “Wolves.” Summer jobs included loading potatoes in Hoople, working on a ranch in Blaisdell, working on the docks in Portland, OR, and working in a grocery store in MN.

He attended NDSU for a year and UND for a year before being drafted into the Army. After serving in Korea and Japan, Duane was honorably discharged. He began farming on the home farm in Wolford in 1956 and took courses in mechanics at Wahpeton School of Science for two winters.

Duane met Marlyne Hagen in 1957 at Christian League at First Lutheran Church in Rugby, and they were married on September 27, 1958 at Columbus (ND) Lutheran Church. They lived on the farm near Wolford for 35 years and raised four sons.

Duane was a member of the Wolford Lutheran Church (which his grandfather, Peter Anderson, and father, Ole Erickson, were instrumental in starting) from the time he was born until 1994 when they joined First Lutheran Church in Rugby, ND. At Wolford he was on the Church Council for many years, and member and president of the Wolford school board, and secretary-treasurer of the Fire Department for about 20 years. During the winter Duane enjoyed going to basketball games and bowling.

After retiring from farming, Duane and Marlyne moved to Rugby but spent many winters in Florida. Duane became an avid golfer, even golfing this past summer as the oldest member of the Rugby Golf Club.

Duane was devoted to his wife Marlyne for 65 years, caring for her in her last years. We will miss Duane’s chuckle, calm, patience, wisdom, and generosity.

He is survived by his sons Jeffrey (Elizabeth) of Stockton, CA; Jay (Kim) of Norwalk, IA; Robert (Linda) of St. Joseph, MN; Paul of Minneapolis, MN; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his half-brother Herbert, his brother LeRoy, and his wife Marlyne.

The Erickson family is grateful to Haaland Estates and Heart of America Medical Center for their compassionate care in his last days.

In the spring of 2025, a memorial service will be held at First Lutheran Church in Rugby. He will be buried with military honors at the Wolford Community Cemetery. Niewoehner Funeral Home – Rugby www.niewoehnerfh.com 701-776-6222.

Published by The Minot Daily News, December 5, 2024.