DuWayne 'Dewey" Ward, 83, Minot, died Friday, October 11, 2019 in his home.

DuWayne was born October 22, 1935 in Stanley, ND to Harold and Esther (Trana) Ward.  He was a product of Palermo, ND, where he graduated with the Palermo High School Class of 1953.

Dewey started to make his mark on the world in the construction industry for a couple of years prior to enlisting in the US Army.  He served his country from November 1955 until his honorable discharge in September 1957. Following his military service, Dewey rejoined the construction industry as an independent contractor for the Minot Air Force Base.

DuWayne was united in marriage to Beverly Johnson on August 2, 1959 in Palermo, ND.  They made their home in Minot.  Dewey started his career of service with the Minot Fire Department in 1959.  He rose through the department and retired from his position as Fire Chief in 1998.  During his time on the fire department, Dewey continued to have various part-time positions in Minot that included Minot Paving for 15 years and also running Ward's Wallcovering Service for five years.

He was a former member of Augustana Lutheran Church, where he served on the council, various committees, as an usher, church volunteer and as the President of the congregation in 1979.  Dewey is a current member of Bread of Life Lutheran Church.  He was a life member of the PTA and served as a Past President of both the PTA and Minot Lions Club.  Dewey volunteered over 25 years at the Minot Hostfest and also maintained memberships to the Minot American Legion and Minot Elks.

Dewey enjoyed the outdoors.  He could be found with a fishing pole in his hands or a firearm hunting game on the prairie. Trapshooting, golf and bowling were also activities he enjoyed.

Dewey is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Beverly, Minot, ND; children Kym (Daniel) Reiter, Minot, ND, Kevin (Jodi) Ward, Minot, ND and Kent (Renee) Ward, Bismarck, ND; grandchildren Tyson (Tanya) Reiter, Fargo, ND, Trevor (Chelsey) Reiter, Minot, ND, Quinn Ward, Minot, ND, Drew (Charissa) Ward, Minot ND, Kiefer Ward, Watford City, ND, Kasey Ward, Bismarck, ND and Kylie Ward, Grand Forks ND; 3 great-grandchildren, Kaden, Kaitlyn and Gavin and another great grandson coming in November; 3 step great-grandchildren Chad, Katlyn, and Lindsey; sister W. Billie Anderson, Milwaukee, WI; sister-in-law Diane Ward, Mesa, AZ, and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Tyrus and Patrick, sister-in-law Donna Ward and brother-in-law LeRoy Anderson.

Celebration of DuWayne's Life:  11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Bread of Life Lutheran Church in Minot.
Interment:  Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot
Visitation:  Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Trinity Hospice of Minot or to an organization of the donor's choice.

Duwayne Ward Flower Pictures