Duane A. Zinke

Duane A. Zinke, 83 of Devils Lake formerly of Crary ND passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at his home.

Funeral Services for Duane will be held on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson, Deacon officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service.  Military Honors will be accorded by the Netheary-Simensen Post, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.  Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery at a later date.  Duane would want casual dress when attending his service. 

Duane Allan was born on March 26, 1938, in Fargo ND the son of Alfred and Dolores (Numadahl) Zinke.  He was reared and educated in Grafton ND, graduating from Grafton High School in 1956.  Duane then enlisted in the United States Air Force.   After his honorable discharge, he spent a few years in the state of Washington, then returned to North Dakota and would spend his remaining years in the Crary and Devils Lake area.  Duane married Karen Amundrud in 1961 in Grafton ND.

For over 60 years, Duane’s career would be as a self-employed carpet/flooring installer wherever he lived.  While living in the Lake Region, he did most of his work through LaMotte’s Paint and Glass. 

While living in Crary, Duane was the proud Dad, ultimate fan, watching his sons play basketball which led him to be an active member of the Crary Cardinal Boosters.  He also was the owner/operator of Zinke’s Game Farm, raising every kind of bird you can imagine. 

In 1985, he and his precious Ruth Wagner moved to Nashville TN where they lived and worked through the years.  When not working, Duane truly enjoyed the Country Music scene of Nashville. 

They returned to Devils Lake in June of 1991 and after semi-retiring as an installer, Duane still worked in other areas of the flooring industry and at Cenex West. 

Duane had his passions including Elvis Presley, visiting Graceland a couple times, the Minnesota Vikings, Devils Lake Speedway, outings to the Casino, helping his son Daryn on the farm, purple martins and planting and tending huge flower gardens.  In his younger years he enjoyed hunting and fishing. 

Duane is survived by his loving family.  Partner of 36 years, Ruth; children Kevin Zinke, Mark (Amy) Zinke all of Devils Lake, Daryn (Kim) Zinke, Doyon ND, Shannon (Lane) Azure, Shawn Zinke also all of Devils Lake, John Burke and Doug Burke; grandchildren Dustin Sernec, Morgan Zinke, Ana Zinke; Dana (Brock) Walford, Andrea (Brady) Pesek; Kayla (Adam) Nordenstrom, Jalyn Myhro, Kaidyn Myhro and Noah Azure; great grandchildren James and Jaxon Walford, Rhett Pesek, Addyson, Nora, Weslee and Dax Nordenstrom and Everyst Ness; brother Ronald (Susan) Zinke, Rio Verde, AZ; sister Connie (Arnold) Thompson, Perham MN; several nieces and nephews and faithful canine companion Sam. 

Casket Bearers will be Todd Aronson, Tom LaMotte, Todd LaMotte, Terry Eback, Armen Hanson, Dan Ness, and Travis Schwab.