Byron M. Duerre , 87, Minot, formerly of Sherwood, N.D. passed peacefully Thursday, December 18, 2014 in Minot, N.D.

Byron was born August 9, 1927 on the family farm near Norma, North Dakota, the son of Marvin and Annie (Mott) Duerre. Byron began his formal education in a country school in Stafford Township one half mile north of his family\'s farm. At twelve years of age, he moved to Sherwood. There he met is lifelong sweetheart, Joyce. Byron graduated in 1945 from Sherwood high school and accepted a scholarship to art school at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and later attended the Walker Art Institute.

Byron was united in marriage to Joyce (Grengs) on October 4, 1948. They returned to Sherwood and Byron worked for the Farmers Union Elevator and began investing in land in the surrounding area. The investment grew to be his livelihood. They made their home on his grandfather\'s farmstead where they raised their three children. He retired from farming and moved to Minot in 2008 where he and Joyce have since lived.

Byron was a long time member of St. James Catholic Church in Sherwood. He also served on the Board of directors with the Sherwood Farmers Union and Stafford Township. Byron was awarded the Renville County Soil Conservation Achievement award. His actions in life exemplified his belief that our time here is limited and what resources are available to us are to be respected and conserved for those who follow us. He was an environmentalist when the word was a little known entity. His love of nature accompanied him in many of the sports he enjoyed. Byron loved to snow ski, water ski, and fish. He started weight lifting and body building back in the day when most of his peers thought it would permanently distort the body. He jogged and lifted weights, with Joyce at his side, well into his eighties.

Byron\'s talents and interests were diverse. His love of history originated from childhood talks with his grandmother and stayed with him throughout his adult life. He was an accomplished vocalist and self-taught pianist. It was common place to hear beautiful renditions of Moon River, Misty and Claire de Lune filling the house. He read philosophy and found it frustrating when only a limited number of individuals would be interested enough in the subject to discuss the theories with him. He was a well acclaimed artist and acquired a number of awards throughout the years, some of which included the Quota Club Blue Ribbon and the N.D. State Seal Award. His paintings have hung in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the permanent collection at the Linha Art Gallery, and the N.D. governor\'s mansion.

Byron\'s talents and achievements were numerous. His grandchildren have referred to him as the intellectual who taught them to think critically. The most prevalent recollection however seemed to be that he was the grandpa who always had a sense of play. Their time spent with him on the farm was described as "imaginative and magical". He was always there for the "milestones" in their lives. His children would describe him as the dad who always had your back, almost always had the correct answer, and the man who always took the high road and did what was morally right. To his wife he will always be remembered as the steadfast devoted husband who is forever in her heart.

His loving family includes , wife of 66 years, Joyce of Minot; son, Steve Duerre, Bottineau; daughter, Jill (David) Bond, Mound, MN; daughter in law, Joen Duerre, Grafton; grandchildren, Kristen Bond, Cole (Natalie) Bond, Stephanie (Ryan) Walker, Rachelle Duerre, Scott Duerre, Lori (Chris) Johnecheck, Lisa (John) Kyvig, Rachel Duerre and Britni (Robert) Volesky; great grandchildren, Preston Bond, Kimber Walker, Brooke Johnecheck, Ryker Johnecheck, Camden Johnecheck, Ellyn Kyvig, Ryan Kyvig, Harley Volesky;

Byron was preceded in death by his parents, son, James Byron Duerre and sister, Elaine Duerre.

Mass of Christian Burial : Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in St James Catholic Church, Sherwood, ND

Interment: Rosehill Cemetery, Rural Sherwood, ND

Visitation: Monday, December 22, 2014 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or organization of the donor's choice.