Duane Edward Benson

One winter evening, as he and his friends were driving home, they noticed a young teenage girl walking home alone, so they offered her a ride. Shortly thereafter, through friends, he found out her name was Juanita. He became so impressed by her that he would soon be riding his scooter up and down her block to get her attention -even in the North Dakota winter! They were not allowed to date until she was 17, but Duane was determined to wait! He and Juanita dated for about two years before they married on June 9, 1952. Through think and thin, they remained married for 68 years until his passing. Over the years, they had 4 children.

Duane went on to honorably serve in the U.S. Air Force for over 21 years. He served in different capacities and at different bases, including in Thailand during the Vietnam War. After retirement from the USAF, he went on to learn the skills needed to work on air conditioning and heating units, and started Benson's Refrigeration Services.

Duane sang in the church choir when he was young. While stationed in Germany, Duane had the honor of serving with a famous musician, Boxcar Willie, who taught him how to play the steel guitar. Over the last several years, Duane revisited this early love of music by joining the men's choir in their residential community. He was the ultimate handyman, and shared his knowledge and expertise with all four of his children. Duane and Juanita fell in love with the RVing lifestyle in their 'early' later years, and spent several years traveling around America. Having a great sense of humor, he loved a good joke and was heard sharing jokes with his family until his passing.

Duane had a heart of service, and was known around his church community for setting up coffee and donuts after church for numerous years. He was also the cool guy who maintained the church's AC systems from the early 70s until he retired.

Duane was a great dancer, and made it a point to teach his daughter how to Polka. The quintessial chocolate lover, he never met a piece of chocolate he didn't like. Rumor has it that his children were made to give up any and all Snickers they received at Halloween, or any other time of year! This is a passion of his that has been handed down to his children, and grandchildren. Duane was also an extreme donut lover! He seldom, if ever, missed a daily trip to Dunkin Donuts during his working years.

While he was in the hospital, we are certain he saw Jesus before he passed. After pain medication limited his communication, he let Juanita and Anne know when out of the blue he said, "Well, that's a very sharp dressed man."

Duane is preceded in death by his eldest son, Duane Frances. He is survived by his beautiful wife Juanita, their 3 children; Barry, Anne, and Kris, his 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren as well as his sister, Delores Glass, and two brothers Dennis and Don Benson.