V. Duane Haakenstad, 79, Minot, and formerly of Souris, died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, in a Minot hospital, surrounded by his family and Pastor Ken Nelson, following a neurological illness.

Duane was born on Oct. 28, 1929, on the family farm near Souris to Sivert and Ann (Hanson) Haakenstad. He was reared on the farm and attended rural schools prior to graduating from Bottineau High School in 1948. While in high school he joined the North Dakota Army National Guard. He graduated from the Bottineau School of Forestry in 1950 and from Minot State Teachers College in 1956.

Duane married Shirley Lillico of Nekoma on Aug. 19, 1950, at First Presbyterian Church in Minot. They made their home in Olympia, Wash., for a short time until Duane was called to active duty with the National Guard in September of 1950. He served in Korea prior to his honorable discharge.

Duane returned to North Dakota where he taught business and history at Belcourt, Palermo, Donnybrook and Sawyer for five years prior to beginning employment with the Minot Public Schools in 1969. He spent most of those years as a driver education instructor and also taught motorcycle safety and specialized as the driving simulator repairman. He retired as an educator in 1989 but never stopped providing driving tips.

Duane was a member of First Lutheran Church, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sons of Norway Thor Lodge, Scandinavian Heritage Association and the Golden K Kiwanis Club, all in Minot, and the North Dakota Education Association. In addition, he was a Trinity Gift Shop volunteer for 12 years.

Duane especially enjoyed riding motorcycle, woodworking, spending time with his grandsons, especially fishing, ballgames and their other activities. He would do anything he could to help his children and their families. He also enjoyed listening to classical music and sharing jokes. As a child he learned the Norwegian language and could speak it fluently and tested himself during a trip to Norway in 1985.

Duane's loving family includes: his wife of 58 years, Shirley; children, Marjorie Jean Taylor and Debra Kay (Mark) Nelson, both of Minot, and Mary Lynn (Jari) Kari of Bismarck; son-in-law, Bill Headrick of Minot; grandchildren, Jesse (Ann) Headrick, Michael Taylor, Eric Taylor (Kristie Allickson) and Brock Nelson, all of Minot, Beau Nelson (fiancee - Jacque Cunningham) of Williston, Matti and Sami Kari, both of Bismarck; great-grandchildren, Collin and Cody Headrick and Leif Taylor; sister, Marilyn Klebe of Bottineau; brother, Sydney Haakenstad of Norfolk, Neb.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents; son, Dwight Roger Haakenstad; daughter, Kathy Headrick; grandson, Christopher Taylor; sister, Adeline Haakenstad; and brothers, Henry, Maurice and Alf Haakenstad.

Funeral service: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, at 11 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Minot.

Graveside service: Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. in Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church, the Minot Public Library or the Minot Public Schools Foundation.

Those wanting to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com).