Duane Robert Kvernen

Duane R. Kvernen, 82, of Portland, ND died Saturday May 31, 2014 at the Sanford Hospital in Mayville, ND. Duane was born May 11, 1932, in Portland ND to Oscar and Julia (Domier) Kvernen. He graduated with honors from Portland High School in 1950. After graduating he joined the US Navy and served as a gunner on the U.S.S. Macon, a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser until 1954. In 1952 he married Rose Strand in Murfreesboro, NC and they lived in Portsmouth VA. Around 1954 they made their permanent home in Portland, ND where Duane worked at the creamery and Farmers Union Oil until he became the rural mail carrier for the US Post Office in 1958. After 35 years of delivering mail he retired in 1993. He also fixed Lawn Boy lawn mowers as a side job for many years. Duane was a member of Aurdal Lutheran Church of Portland, the American Legion and the VFW. He enjoyed reading and especially loved to read about history, fishing and music; teaching himself to play the guitar which he played in several bands throughout the years such as; The Travelons, the IDJ Band and The Leonard Wahl Band. Every year he looked forward to Christmas programs to be aired on TV and especially enjoyed A Charlie Brown Christmas and Emmitt Otters jug band Christmas. He loved hearing and telling a good joke and had a great sense of humor and a quick wit about him. He loved telling stories about growing up on the farm and especially enjoyed sharing them with his Great Grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Rose of Mayville, ND; son, Rick of Downey, CA; granddaughters, Kaylee Domier of Arthur, ND, Angela (Cheyenne) Davis of Mayville, ND, Sharla Kvernen of Fargo, ND; 7 great-grandchildren, Kolby, Sheriden, Kinsey, Maggie, Nathan, Jaklyn and Evan; a sister, Avis Karlstad of Mayville, ND; a sister-in-law, Ruth Kvernen of Mayville, ND; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jacquelyn; brothers, Raymond, Ardell and Orion. Blessed be the memory of Duane Kvernen. Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of you who have been so thoughtful and kind now and throughout the years. Visitation: Will be 5 – 7 PM with a 7:00 PM Public Prayer Service on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, ND. Burial: Will be at the Aurdal Cemetery, Portland, ND.