Shyanne Belzer/MDN Duane Aase has been volunteering at the Norsk Høstfest for 41 years, playing a roll in set-up and more over his many years. For the last 20-plus years, he has been running one of the Evergood coffee booths.

Duane Aase once worked under Chester Reiten, many years ago. As Reiten and others began to create the Høstfest, Reiten had employees volunteer to help set it up and keep it running. Now, 41 years later, Aase continues to volunteer and be involved.

“I love doing it,” Aase said. “I’m 100 percent Norwegian American, as is my wife, so it was right up our alley.”

He has been working making coffee at an Evergood booth for the last 20-plus years, but he started out doing anything that was needed. He and his wife helped out in the early years.

Aase is one of many volunteers running and helping the grand event occur, and it is something he is very proud of. He has greatly enjoyed his time there and all the help he has been able to give over his 41 years of volunteering.

“We have helped this progress and get bigger and better and it’s been good,” Aase said. “The people are marvelous.”

He has always enjoyed the people, meeting visitors from all around, including regulars from Norway. Another favorite part of not only volunteering but being at the Høstfest is the food.

He will be continuing his volunteer work at the 2018 Norsk Hostfest working at one of the Evergood booths serving Norwegian coffee blend to guests. He will be there from 7 a.m. to noon each day.