Duane "Bud" A. Johnson

Duane A. “Bud” Johnson, 91 a long-time resident of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Sunday morning, February 28, 2016 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake in the loving care and presence of his family. Funeral Services for Bud will be held on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Paul Balaban officiating. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 4:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in the Norway Lutheran Cemetery, rural Devils Lake with military honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Duane Alfred, one of ten children, was born on November 19, 1924 at Minot, ND to Alfred and Irene (Shaver) Johnson. The family spent the early years at St. John, ND, eventually moving to Hillsboro, ND where Bud graduated from Hillsboro High School. He entered the United States Army on July 15, 1943. During his time in the service, he served in the 70th Infantry Division, 570th Signal Company as a Radio Operator. He served overseas in France and Germany, the European African Middle Eastern Theatre where his Division was involved in the Battle of the Bulge. He was honorably discharged on April 29, 1946 with the rank of Technician 4th Grade. Duane returned to North Dakota and attended Wahpeton State School of Science and the Industrial Training Institute at Chicago, Illinois. He received certification in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Duane married Ann Christianson on June 17, 1951 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. They moved to the house next to St. Olaf in 1962 and lived the rest of their lives there; a beautiful life of love, laughter, kindness and caring for each other and their precious daughter Janet Rae. Bud worked for Power Sales for a short time, then from 1956 to 1971 he worked at the Lake Region District Health Unit as a sanitarian and inspector. Bud worked as the Utilities Director for the City of Devils Lake from 1971 to 1979. For over seven years, Duane was employed as the Project Director/Sanitarian for Indian Health Services at Fort Totten, retiring on July 31, 1992. Bud was a life-long member of the American Legion. His Dad signed Bud up as a member while Bud was still serving overseas. He also enjoyed membership in the VFW and was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, serving on the church council and in many other positions over the years. Bud took great pride and a great sense of duty as a life member of the Devils Lake Volunteer Fire Department with 26 years of active service. Bud served as the unofficial greeter for St. Olaf as many people would stop at their house, thinking it was the parsonage. They never went away without a bit of advice or funny story from Bud. He kept the block of 6th and 6th well maintain, shoveled and the grass groomed for many, many years. Bud is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ann; daughter Janet and her husband Brett Schafer of Bismarck; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren Nathan (Jessica) Schafer and their children Jackson, Avery and Easton Schafer, Bismarck, Lucas Schafer also of Bismarck, Abby (Bryce) Thomas and their daughter Jenalu Thomas of Mandan, ND and Jeffrey Schafer of New York City; six siblings Ray (Caryl) Johnson, Lee (Betty) Johnson, Larry (Marilyn) Johnson, Brian (Susan) Johnson, Marna Brown (Brad) Keith, Brad Johnson and Larry Chaput; sister-in-law Marilyn Johnson; brother-in-law Vernon Christianson and many nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Ben Johnson and sisters Elaine Caldis and Lynn Engel. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Nathan, Lucas, Abby and Jeffrey. Honorary Bearers will be Duane Carter, Roger Knutson, Kirk Sweeney, Larry Nygren, Bert Steffen and Steve Crist, all past and present members of the Devils Lake Fire Department and all of Bud’s beloved nephews and nieces. Music will be provided by Jay Adam and Tom Wade, vocalists and Lynda Pearson, organist. The Fireman’s Salute will be provided by Jim Moe and the Devils Lake Fire Department.