Duane Wald

Dates

Obituary

Duane Wald, 84, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls. A memorial service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, March 19, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Friday, at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

A live stream of the funeral service may be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/d41d8cd9/celebration-of-life-for-duane-wald/3323363697949884/

Duane Francis Wald was born on October 1, 1937, in Zeeland, ND to Francis “Frank” Wald and Rose (Erck) Wald. He was the oldest child of the five children born to the family. They made their home in Jamestown, Dickinson, and settled in Napoleon, ND. During his school days in Napoleon, Duane excelled at sports, obtaining the school record for many years for Highest Accumulated Total Points in basketball, band in which he played trumpet, and choir. After graduation, he attended Jamestown College on a football scholarship. After one year, knowing the financial strain on his family, Duane moved back to Napoleon to help his father at the Weiser/Central Company Lumber Yard.

As fate would have it, he received a phone call from a young teacher in town who needed a curtain rod delivered. That day he delivered it; the young teacher who opened the door would soon become his bride. On May 28, 1959, Duane married Laurel (Lori) Fritz in Napoleon. Duane continued working for the Lumber Yard, which eventually changed names to United Building Centers, in which Duane worked for over 4 decades, and would manage over 100 employees at one time. During their early years of marriage, Duane continued to play amateur baseball as catcher during the hot months with a wool uniform. Duane and Lori were active in many clubs, including bowling and pinochle. Duane’s career brought them to many towns including Yankton, DeSmet, and Mitchell, SD, and Pipestone, MN. During his time in Pipestone, Duane was an active member of the Pipestone Fire Department and was instrumental in bringing in the First Hook and Ladder truck to the department and enjoyed his many years of playing Santa during the holidays.

To this marriage brought three daughters, Donnita, Lynn, and Kari. Duane always remained active in the community not only as his girls’ coach and cheerleader, but in golf and bowling league, billiards, Exchange Club (where he was known as “Wimpy for his ability to cook hamburgers at events and partaking in the eating), Touchdown Club, Lions Club, and Quarterback Club.

After his retirement from the lumber business, Duane was employed with Coborn’s. A job he enjoyed as he could continue as the social butterfly with the customers. Lori and Duane moved to Sioux Falls, Watertown, and back to Mitchell in 2020. During their time away, they were known as the best babysitters, where you could always find Grandpa playing on the floor with the grandkids/grand “fur kids” or teaching them Blackjack for pennies. He was their biggest cheerleader, attending events, and the best advice giver when his girls needed it. He could always be proud of his girls and their spouses in any endeavor they pursued. It was also during his retirement years that he fought a battle against many health issues, in which he rarely complained. Our Hero.

Our dad, father-in-law, and grandpa left a room better than when he entered! Though we know he has joined our mom, who passed October 30th, 2021, after 62 years of marriage and family in Heaven, we will continue to miss his smile and laugh every day. Let the music play, the dance floor open, the chair at the open card table, and the Gates be open to one of the best.

Duane is lovingly survived by his daughters and their families: Donnita (Dave) Folmer and daughter Lauren Folmer, Bismarck, ND; Lynn (Darren) Paulson, Rapid City, SD; Kari (Steve) Gales and children Davis and Brynn Gales, Watertown, SD; sisters, Carol Geritz and Darlene Eldred; brother, Allyn (Ann) Wald; brother-in-law, Harold (Harriet) Fritz; sister-in-Law, Deborah Wald; and numerous nieces, nephews, and his “fur” grand dogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tom Wald; mother and father-in-law, William and Alma Fritz, brothers-in-law, William (Billie) Fritz, Robert Fritz, Cameron Geritz, and Ronald Eldred.

The family would like to thank Edgewood Assisted Living for welcoming our Dad as “one of their own”, Dr. Lucio Margallo, Encompass Rehab Hospital, Avera Queen of Peace, McKennan Hospital, and Avera Heart Hospital for the kind and caring staff that gave him strength and love over the past few months.

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