DUANE THOMAS PESEK

Duane T. Pesek age 66, of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND surrounded by his family. Duane was born on April 19, 1946 at Lawton, North Dakota to Laddie and Dorothy (Skalicky) Pesek. He was reared on the family farm, rural Lawton and attended the Sauter country school for his elementary education and graduated from Lawton High School in 1964. He then worked at Farmers Union Oil Company at Lawton until he entered the United States Army on October 4, 1966. He served his country during the Vietnam War with the Bravo Company. 1st of the 52nd Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged in 1968 with the rank of Specialist 4. Duane was the recipient of the Purple Heart and also the Combat Infantry Badge. He then returned to Devils Lake. Duane was united in marriage to Louise Kopecky on August 8, 1970 at Sarles, ND. They established their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family. He was a devoted, loving husband and father and everything the perfect grandfather should be with family being number one. Duane was very active in the community. He was a great promoter of the Lake Region and all it had to offer. He served on the College Foundation Board and the Hospital Advisory Board just to name a few. He was a life member of the Elks Lodge, VFW and DAV and also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, life member of the Knights of Columbus and was a 4th Degree Knight. Duane was never idle. He enjoyed woodworking, classic cars-especially Chevy’s-walking and keeping current on local and global happenings. He also was a devoted fan of the Vikings and the Twins through good times and bad. He had come to enjoy the game of golf too-but especially when he could win some side bets from his brothers-in-law. He enjoyed deer hunting with family and friends. Duane had a successful 28 yr. career at 1st National Bank of Devils Lake serving on the Board of Directors and as Senior Vice President. During this time, he continued his education at Lake Region Junior College and the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. After the First National Bank of Devils Lake was sold he continued his banking career at 1st State Bank of Munich. Duane is survived by his wife, Louise; daughter Misty and her husband David Wallace of Warwick; grandsons Tate Pesek, Brady, Layten, Taylen, Avin and Zane Wallace; mother-in-law Muriel Kopecky of Devils Lake; sisters and brothers Kathy Langton, Grand Forks, Don (Lorna) Pesek, Geri (Dale) Newgard, Edmore, ND, Jim (Larae) Pesek, Lakota, ND and Kristie (Jeff) Stockert also of Fargo; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Kaye Hennager, Grenora, ND, Ken Kopecky, Kenai, Alaska, Shirley (John) Dotson, Topeka, KS, Bill (Jill) Kopecky, Soldotna, Alaska and Lillian (Rick) Weed also of Soldotna. Duane was preceded in death by his parents; his son Travis in 1992; father-in-law Albin Kopecky and nephew Jared Pesek. Duane left a legacy of faith and love and will be so very missed. Funeral Services for Duane will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. Dale Kinzler celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic 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 Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Visitation will then be at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus and an Honor Guard will be provided by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Serving as Casket Bearers for Duane will be John Dotson, Rick Weed, Bill Kopecky, Jeff Stockert, Dale Newgard, Brent Newgard and Ken Kopecky. Honorary Bearers will be the B Co. 1st of the 52nd Infantry Division Comrades and all of Duane’s dear family and many friends. Reading the Scriptures will be Michelle Bacon and Leah Bjorkman and Gift Bearers will Jodi Rerick, Brooke Bulik, Mindee Boyles, Judy Vivier and Lindsey Holland and a special tribute to Grandpa by Tate Pesek, Brady, Layten, Taylen, Avin and Zane Wallace.