Duane Schindele

Duane was the only child born to Peter and Elsie (Pederson) Schindele on August 27, 1924 on the home farmstead north of Tolna. He attended early schooling in the Leval Township school house, graduating from Tolna High School in 1942. After graduation he worked on his father's farm until he took a job working for Armour Packing in Grand Forks, ND. While working in Grand Forks he took flight lessons and had a lifelong interest in airplanes. Duane then hauled gravel for a short time, and during this time he married Ruth Eisner of Inkster, ND. They farmed with his father, had 6 children, and raised their family on the family homestead. During this time he and two sons, Michael and Brian raised turkeys and small grains. Until Duane retired, he farmed with his son Michael. In 2011, he received a 100 year homestead letter from Kent Conrad commemorating the 1989 Centennial Farm that he worked his entire life.

Due to failing health he moved to Heartland Court Assisted Living, Devils Lake, ND in April, and Heartland Care Center in August of 2013. When he entered his 70's, he discovered a talent for painting and stained glass artwork. He spent countless hours making beautiful stained glass angels and clocks for his children, grandchildren and friends. During his lifetime he enjoyed bowling, fishing trips to Canada and traveling to Europe. He was fondly referred to as "Duke". Two of his favorite phrases were "Save a little, spend a little" and "don't worry be happy" - philosophies that he lived by. Duane had a great faith in God and always reminded his children of their Catholic roots "say 10 Hail Mary's every night and don't stop until you're done". He was a great visitor and had an amazing recall of the past. He was a Ford man and a lifelong democrat to the end. Duane was a lifelong member of the St. Joseph 's Catholic Church in Tolna, ND. He was an active member of the Tolna community serving on the Tolna Cemetery Board for many years and was recognized for serving 34 years with the Tolna Cooperative Credit Union. He received numerous agricultural awards from the Soil Conservation Service and the ND Forest Service.

Duane is survived by his 3 daughters, Maureen (C.Gary) Kopp of Turtle Lake, ND, Angela (Stacy) Twete of Tolna, ND, and Janelle Schindele of Dubuque Iowa; 2 sons, Michael Schindele of Tolna, ND and Brian (Jodie) Schindele of Palmer, AK; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and cousins; and special friend, Blanche Ericksrud.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Mary Lynn Schindele.

The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph 's Catholic Church, Tolna, ND, on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Tolna Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND, on Sunday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the Church on Monday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.