Duane Joseph LaHaise , 76, Minot and formerly of the Grafton area, died on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 in a Minot hospital.

Duane was born on December 22, 1937 in Grafton, ND to Joseph and Edith (Silewski) LaHaise. He was reared on a farm near Cashel and educated in country schools in that area. As a young adult, he was employed on a custom combining crew and employed by Grafton area farmers. He served in the North Dakota Army National Guard from 1955 until 1957. Additionally, he was called to active duty service with the Army and served in the Army Reserve.

Duane married Geraldine Altendorf on June 27, 1961 in Warsaw, ND. They made their home in Grafton where he owned and operated a Conoco Service Station and in Grand Forks where he was employed as an insurance agent and adjuster. The family moved to Minot in 1965, when Duane began employment as a civil service employee at Minot Air Force Base, where he eventually became the Waste and Water Department Superintendent. He retired in 1981 due to the effects of a stroke.

Duane was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church & American Legion. He especially enjoyed gardening and word search puzzles, along with spending time with family and friends at the lake cabin on Strawberry Lake.

Duane's loving family includes his wife of 52 years, Geraldine; children, Barbara (Bruce) Jensen, Timothy ( Jodi) LaHaise, Constance LaHaise and Christine (Richard) Buechler all of Minot; five grandchildren to include, Kristen, Stephanie, Danielle, Miranda & Karl; 5 great grandchildren; siblings: Jerome (Alice) LaHaise of Grand Forks, Robert (Marlene) LaHaise, William (Cheryl) LaHaise and Richard (Cecelia) LaHaise all of Grafton and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, sister: Joanie LaHaise and an infant sister.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, May 23, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.