Duane B. Olafson

Duane B. Olafson, 92, died Sunday, December 2, 2012 at Ave Maria Village in Jamestown.

Duane Burgess Olafson was born May 6, 1920, in Litchville, ND, the son of Arnold and Irene (Linn) Olafson. He was baptized on May 30, 1920 at First Lutheran Church in Litchville. He attended first grade in Litchville, then the family moved to Jamestown, where he attended Jamestown Public Schools. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corp in Montana for one year. He entered the US Army on March 14, 1942 at Fort Lewis Washington and served with the 47th Infantry Regiment in the European African Middle Eastern Theater. During this time he was also a POW. He earned three bronze stars and was honorably discharged on December 3, 1945 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. A treasured memory was going on one of the area Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. with other WWII vets, accompanied by his daughter.

Duane married Lorraine E. Keller on May 18, 1946 in Glendive, MT. They were later divorced. He worked as a painter with his father and brother and for Skeel's Painting and Decorating. He worked for Eddy Furniture Company in the floor covering department as an installer for 9 years and also worked at Quality Floor Covering with Haven Thorsness. Duane began selling cars in 1968, working for Frederick Buick and Don Wilhelm. He retired in 1986.

Duane and Ruby Taylor Bivens were married on May 24, 1982 in Jamestown, where they continued to make their home. Ruby passed away on August 16, 2001.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the American Legion and VFW. He was always interested in anything having to do with cars of all types and a wonderful woodworker, crafting many gifts for friends and relatives.

Duane is survived by his daughter, Bonnie (James) Johnson, Boulder, CO; two step-sons, Mark (Karen) Bivens, Jamestown and Dennis (Cheryll) Bivens, Crookston, MN; a sister, Mayselle Gotchy, Tacoma, WA; nine grandchildren, Alex, Bryce and Cameron Johnson, Boulder, CO; Jessica Bivens, Fargo, ND; Jason (Emily) Bivens, Wilton, ND: Nathan (Heather Cellmer) Bivens, Jamestown; Kristi Bivens, Kent, MN; Kelly (Alfred) Lopez, Kyle, TX; Paul Bivens, Tainen, Taiwan; and one great-granddaughter, Leigha Lopez, Kyle, TX.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; parents; three brothers, Harvey, Emerald, and Byron Olafson; and one sister, Alice Claire.