Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis and will resume from 8 a.m. until the time of services on Friday.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Hans Sacrison officiating. Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Duane was born Aug. 28, 1948, at Williston, N.D., to Hilmer and Janet Tweden Okland. He attended Timber Prong Grade School and Watford City High School. He graduated in 1966.

In 1969 Duane was drafted into the U.S. Army and had basic and advanced infantry training at Fort Lewis, Wash. He attended non-commissioned officers training at Ft. Benning, Ga.

Duane started his Vietnam service in April of 1970. During this time , he received the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, air medal and others. He was discharged in March of 1971.

Duane married Judy Hammeren in 1975 and in 1979 their son Darin was born.

Duane enjoyed the construction industry and could operate many kinds of equipment. His favorite project was one from Beulah, N.D., to the Canadian line in which he and his son Darin strung 160 miles of pipe with an excavator and vacuum lift attachment. He was employed at Freund Construction in Gillette for five years.

His last employment was with Smith Pipeline in Gillette, Wyo., where he operated heavy equipment until May of 2004.

Duane was a life member of VFW Post 9005 in Watford City, N.D., Purple Heart Association and the Disabled American Veterans of Rapid City, S.D. He was a member of the Black Hills Volksmarch Assoc. and was a member and past commander of the American Legion Post 29, in Watford City, N.D.

Duane is survived by his fiancee' Beth Hendricks, Rapid City, S.D.; one son Darin, Fargo, N.D.; stepson, Shannon (Julie) Hammeren, Bismarck, N.D.; one brother, Elden, Watford City, N.D.; one sister, Clarice (Ron) Judkins, Watford City; one step granddaughter, Emily Hammeren, Bismarck, N.D.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Hilmer and Janet Okland.

The family of Duane would like to thank the many friends who helped him out during his illness and made time for him these past 2-1/2 years.

Memorials to Relay for Life Project in Watford City, N.D.