DUANE T. "DEWEY" WASS

Duane T. “Dewey” Wass, 83 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake in the loving care of his family. Funeral Services for Dewey will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Monday, January 2, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Reuben Schnaidt officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Dewey will be Lonnie Bartlett, Corey Bartlett, Arlen Peterson, Gary Murdoch, Mark Soper and Gary Soper. Honorary Bearers will be Richard Soper, Blaine Wass, Dennis Olson and all of Dewey’s many dear friends and neighbors. Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Duane Thomas, son of George and Cecelia (Boehmer) Wass was born on March 9, 1928 at home, rural Starkweather, North Dakota. He was reared and educated in Starkweather, graduating from Starkweather High School with the class of 1946. He worked for a time at The Ranch and also at the Mayer Hotel Bar. Duane entered the United States Navy on September 6, 1950 at Grand Forks, ND and served his country during the Korean War in the Mediterranean area. He was honorably discharged on June 22, 1954 at Boston, Massachusetts with the rank of Aviation Machinist’s Mate. Duane was united in marriage to Arlene Frances McMillan on August 13, 1955 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. They made their home in York, ND for nine years, where they owned and operated Dewey’s Corner Bar. They returned to Devils Lake and Duane began a 20 year career with Peavey Elevator Company, retiring in the early 1980’s. Duane was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, the Devils Lake Elks Lodge, Eagles Lodge and the VFW. Arlene passed away on April 20th, 2007. First and foremost in Dewey’s life was his family. He was caretaker to his brother and sister-in-law for many years prior to their deaths. He also was a devoted and caring husband to Arlene caring for her several years as her health was failing. He didn’t stop at caring for family, he cared for others too. He received many awards of recognition for his volunteer work at the Good Samaritan Center. When Dewey wasn’t caring for others, he was passionately grooming his yard and garden. He won many “Yard of the Week” awards through the years. In the winter, he enjoyed ice fishing with family and friends. Dewey made his home in several different places through the years, but he was always known as a good neighbor and friend. Dewey treasured each moment with his daughters and grandchildren and we will treasure those memories forever. Duane is survived by his two daughters Pam Bartlett and Arlen Peterson of Devils Lake and Candace and her husband Gary Murdoch of Juneau, Alaska; three grandchildren and six great grandchildren, Lonnie and Angie Bartlett and their daughter Makayla, Corey and Allyson Bartlett and their children Danielle, Anna and Miranda Bartlett, Jason and Aundra Murdoch and their children Dylan and Rylan; two step grandchildren and great grandchild Preston Peterson and Tiffany Peterson and Chris Steenerson and their daughter Tatumn; sisters-in-law Mae Soper of Devils Lake and Helen Hanson of Washington State. Duane was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Arlene; infant son; brothers Donald Wass and Gordon Wass.