Duane Isaacson

Surrounded by his family in Tulsa, OK, on November 22, 2024, Duane Isaacson left this world and walked through the Pearly Gates. He was met by his brother Roger, parents Edwin and Mabel, and many family and friends. He has no more pain, no more dialysis, and a new body singing in the choir before his Lord!

Duane Leslie Isaacson was born April 2, 1950, to Edwin and Mabel (Hilberg) in Rugby, ND. He grew up with his siblings, Loretta, Roger, and Lynnette. There are many stories of living on the farm and school/family gatherings.

Duane graduated from Rugby High School and attended the Bottineau School of Forestry and Mayville State, receiving his teaching degree. He taught in Rolette, ND, before settling on the family farm and working for the ASCS Department. Duane joined North Dakota Job Service and worked for 38 years before retiring. During his tenure with the State of North Dakota, he worked with Job Corp, served as President of IAPES of ND in 1988 and received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service, awarded by Governor Schafer in 1996. After his retirement, he worked eight years for ParkMed Valet Parking at Sanford and enjoyed singing and working for the Larks.

 As Duane Leslie, he loved calling the play-by-play for sports on the radio stations in Rugby, Williston, and Bismarck. Duane loved being a Sunday school teacher, working with children in Awana, serving with Heavens Helpers and speaking and singing with the Gideons. His love for singing started at a young age with his father in a men’s choir, singing with siblings, his wife and daughter, and the Master’s Plan. Duane was a big fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins, listening to them on the radio with his Uncle Lars and sharing his love of the teams with his brother Roger, and sons Darin and Brian. He enjoyed several cruises with his wife, and several quartet conventions and gospel concerts around the states following his love of music.

He struggled with his health for 54 years, enduring 48 surgeries and over 500 dialysis treatments, but never felt sorry for himself, always stating the guy next to him had it much worse. In 2001, Shirley’s brother, Lyle Rasmussen, gave Duane the gift of life with a kidney transplant, gifting the family an extra 20 wonderful years.

Duane and Shirley were married on August 9, 1975 and would have celebrated their golden 50th anniversary in the new year. He was a wonderful father to Darin, Brian, and Andrea. His grandsons, William and Oliver, would light up his eyes, always sharing pictures of how big they were growing.

Duane is survived by his wife, Shirley; son, Darin Isaacson (Sarah) and son Oliver, Yukon, OK; son, Brian Isaacson, Oklahoma City, OK; daughter, Andrea Fultz (Daniel) and son William, Haskell, OK; sisters, Loretta Groth (Larry) Northwood, ND; and Lynnette Thorne (William) Calgary, Alberta Canada and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Richard, Wayne and Lyle Rasmussen and families and many cousins.

Duane is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Mabel, brother Roger, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of Duane’s life will be December 8, 2024 at 4:00 pm with visitation at 3:00 pm at Century Baptist Church.  Burial will be in the spring at the Barton Cemetery, Barton, ND.