Duane D. Bjelde

Duane Bjelde, 93, of Cavalier, ND passed away Monday, February 21, 2022 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Funeral service will be held Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Cavalier, ND. Visitation at the church from noon Thursday until the time of services. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Faith in Action, Pembina County Meals and Transportation, Drayton, ND, or the Cavalier Ambulance Service.

 Duane D. Bjelde was born to Clarence and Leota Bjelde on Sept 20 1928. He grew up in Hensel, ND on the family farm and attended school in Park River, ND.

At the age of 16, Duane enlisted in the Navy (His mother had to sign for him to enlist because he was underage).  Serving four years in the Navy on a destroyer, the USS Bordelon near the end of WWII.  He landed on every continent except Australia.  When he landed in NY harbor, he was assigned to drive the General around the area. 

 On returning home he began his farming career and married, the love of his life Betty (Johnson) Bjelde.    They had 72 wonderful years together!   Duane & Betty had two girls; Darlene (Mike) Kihne of Sioux Falls SD and Lyndis (Lee Brown) Jaster, of Fargo ND.  Duane and Betty remained in Hensel until 1970 when Duane took a different career path, beginning to work at Pembina County Memorial Hospital and also Wedgewood Manor nursing home until he retired. They then spent 15 years wintering in Mission TX. 

A hard worker, kind, loving husband and father; Duane was never one to sit idle!  Family described him as the “Eveready energizer bunny.”  He enjoyed golfing, fishing, woodworking and assisting in the farming of his land.

Duane was preceded in death by his wife Betty, parents Clarence & Leota, brother Daryl Bjelde, twin granddaughters, son in law Michael Kihne. 

Duane was survived by two daughters:  Darlene (Michael) Kihne of Sioux Falls SD and Lyndis (Lee Brown) Jaster of Fargo ND, three grandchildren: Todd (Sheila) Kihne of Greenville SC., Bryan (Jenn) Kihne of Sioux Falls SD., and Katie (Dale) Sayler of Fargo ND, and nine great grandchildren:  Jane, Kathleen, Tom , Mike Kihne;  Cayman, Tanner, Maddox, Oakley Kihne, and Zoey Sayler.