11 Jul Duane Aune

Duane Aune, 92 years old, of Bismarck, passed away on July 10, 2022, at Benedictine Living Community, Bismarck.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, ND with Rev. Mark Aune as celebrant. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck. A Livestream of the Service will be available on the Church of Corpus Christi website.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at Church of Corpus Christi, with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Duane was born on September 30, 1929, to Anton and Lillian (Anderson) Aune in Bismarck, ND.

Duane, a native of Bismarck, attended Bismarck High School and at the age of 17 contracted tuberculosis and spend 5 years until the age of 22 at the Sanhaven TB Hospital where he completed his high school education.

Upon his discharge from the hospital, he began working at the ND State Highway Department (DOT) as a surveyor throughout the state. After surveying for about 5 years, he began working as a draftsman in the Bismarck office.  He worked for the DOT for 42 years before retiring.

Duane married Isabell Blotsky on October 10, 1960, at St.  Mary’s Catholic Church in Bismarck.  To this union they were blessed with three children:  Kathleen, Linda, and Mark.

Duane was an avid hunter and fisherman who always enjoyed the outdoors.  In his youth and adult years, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America as a Troop Leader and Volunteer.  He and his wife enjoyed camping and gardening throughout the years.  He was a life-time member of the Elks Club and Knights of Columbus.  Duane and his neighbor, Larry Dennis, were instrumental in the development of the North Central Park.  He volunteered for over 20 years at the Bismarck High School Association hockey games as a statistician.

Duane and Isabell were known to plant a big vegetable garden and can vegetables each fall.  Duane was a talented venison sausage maker who measured using handfuls of spices; therefore, sadly no one has been able to successfully duplicate the recipe.

Duane was a charter member of Corpus Christi Church where he served on the parish council for many years.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren playing with them, giving them whisker rubs, attending their sporting events, and making them special breakfasts.  His eyes always lite up when taking about his grandchildren or great-grandchildren.  He enjoyed his coffee group at Hardees after his wife passed away.  He also enjoyed spending his winters in Phoenix, AZ where he enjoyed going to football and hockey games.

The family appreciates the physical therapy staff at Sanford Outpatient Therapy who keep Duane moving and active throughout the years to maintain his independence.  Also, a special thank you to his loving nieces and nephew:  Pat, Mary Lou, and Fred who visited him faithfully during his three years at Benedictine Care Center.

Duane was an easy-going and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, who cherished his family above all things.  He is survived by his three children:  Kathleen (Tim) Wold, Park Rapids, MN; Linda (Kenyon) Opp, Bismarck; and Fr. Mark Aune, Linton.  Four grandchildren, Christopher Strehlow (significant other Amber Roberts), Sarah (Dr. Patrick) Ignacio, Kaila (Tyler) Rohrich, and Casey Wold.  Two Great-Grandchildren:  Sydney and Myles Rohrich and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceeded in death by his wife, parents, and all his siblings and their spouses:  Robert, Darwin (Mabel), Ruth (George) Hessevick, Mabel (Margden) Nelson, Eugene (Eleanore), Lawrence, and Vernon (Hazel).

Memorials:  Corpus Christi Food Bank and Annunciation Monastery of Bismarck.