Duane O. Thompson

Duane O. Thompson age 81 of Detroit Lakes, MN died Saturday April 9, 2011 at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, surrounded by his loving family. Duane Oliver Thompson was born on March 27, 1930 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Theodore and Alice Sands Thompson. He lived and attended school in various towns in Minnesota and North Dakota as a young boy. He later moved to Detroit Lakes, where he lived with his Grandmother, Minnie Sands and his uncle Oliver Sands. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1948. He then served in the United States Army from 1948-1949. Following his active duty, he served in the Army Reserve for ten years and the North Dakota Air Guard for ten years. While working at Blandingchr(39)s Department Store in Detroit Lakes, he met the love of his life Marlys Long. On August 13, 1955 they were united in marriage at First Baptist Church in Detroit Lakes. They made their home in Detroit Lakes. Duane attended the St. Paul School of Associated Arts in St. Paul, MN for the next two years, traveling home to be with Marlys on weekends. After graduating, he worked in Fargo, ND as a commercial Artist and later for the bulletin plant in Fergus Falls, MN. He was then asked to establish the curriculum and teach Commercial Art at the Moorhead Technical College. He later did the same for the Detroit Lakes technical College. He retired in 1985. Duane was a gifted artist. He also was an avid hunter and golfer. He enjoyed collecting black powder guns, wooden duck decoys, old wooden tools, and collectable signs. Duane is survived by his wife, Marlys; special niece Lucinda (Chris) Moore, of Detroit Lakes, MN; two little nieces Rylee and Leslie Moore; nephew Brian (Angie) Long, of Farson, Wyoming; niece, Donna Jean (Tom) Johansson, of Bemidji, MN; several other nieces and nephews; brother in law, Hugh (Donna) Long, of Detroit Lakes, MN; and one sister, Barbara (Frank) Knourek, of Plymouth, MN. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister Louanne Kolb.