Duane L. Roen , 89, Hudson, Wisconsin, formerly of Lansford and Minot, passed away on March 19, 2014 at the Christian Community Home in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Duane was born at Lansford, North Dakota to Iver and Esther (Zietz) Roen on October 11, 1924. He went to high school in Lansford and graduated in 1943. He married Nora (Brendsel) on June 9, 1950 and they farmed for many years on the family homestead southwest of Lansford. In his later years, Duane drove school bus for the Lansford Public School. In 2008, Duane and Nora moved to Minot and resided at Henry Towers. At the end of 2013, they moved to Wisconsin to be closer to family.

Duane and Nora loved to dance in their youth. They first met at a dance in Maxbass and spent countless evenings over the years at town dances, the Moose & Elks Lodges, and at the Sons of Norway Lodge. They also danced at tapings of the Lawrence Welk show during their winter trips to California.

Duane loved to "visit" with people. While he and Nora lived in Lansford, he was a regular part of the caf coffee-group that gathered every weekday morning to talk and laugh. In later years, he could be found in the community room at Henry Towers, visiting with whoever happened by.

Duane was an active participant in his community. He was a member of Lansford Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the Church Council, including as Council President. He was a 50 year member of the Lansford Masonic Lodge and served as Lodge Grand Master, as well as District Grand Master. He always enjoyed the Light-Up-Lansford event and the Halloween Party that the Masons organized each year. He was a longtime member of both the Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge in Minot. He served on the Lansford Township Board for many years as Clerk / Treasurer. He was a member of the Lansford Senior Citizen's Club and of the Lansford Country Club, where he eagerly looked forward to the summer Sunday morning pancake breakfasts. He was a charter member of the Lansford Threshermen and Historical Association. Some of his favorite memories were shocking grain bundles using antique equipment, in preparation for the annual threshing festival at Lansford each summer. He could be regularly found under the umbrella at the festival entrance, selling tickets and greeting visitors. Duane was very proud to receive the North Dakota Pioneer Farm award in 1989.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Christian Community Home and Red Cedar Canyon Assisted Living for their compassionate care during Duane's final weeks.

Duane is survived by his wife of 63 wonderful years, Nora; his son Wayne (Kris) Roen of River Falls, Wisconsin; his daughter Dee Anne (Ben) Buechler of Tucson, Arizona; sister Geraldine Anderson of Minot, North Dakota; seven loving grandchildren; sister in-laws Joan Roen of Dubuque, Iowa, Audrey Brendsel of Minot, ND, Ila Brendsel of Buena Park, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Iver and Esther; and by his brother, Darrold, of Dubuque, Iowa.

Funeral service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2014 at Vincent United Methodist Church, 1024 2nd St SE, Minot, ND
Luncheon at the church and interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, 2014 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Thomas Family Funeral Home, 304 South Main Street, Minot, ND 58701.
Memorial donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.