Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 272227
Title: Duane J. Sailer
Date: 12/1/1947-6/14/2026
Inscription/Marks: 12/1/1947
Summary: Duane James Sailer, 78, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 14, 2026, in the home he loved in Dickinson, ND. A Liturgy of the Word was held July 10, 2026, at Stevenson Funeral Home. Burial was at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Duane was born on December 1, 1947, in Hebron, ND, the only son of Oscar and Esther (Boehler) Sailer. He attended Hebron Public School and Hebron High School, graduating in 1966. While growing up in Hebron, Duane met Linda Kuntz. Their friendship blossomed during college, where they spent countless hours studying together and playing ping pong. They were married on December 27, 1969, beginning a partnership that would span more than 54 years. Duane enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve while living in Fargo. After their marriage, Duane and Linda moved to Dickinson to be closer to family and Linda began her career at The Dickinson Press. Their early years together required sacrifice, as Duane frequently traveled between Fargo and Dickinson while fulfilling his military commitments. After a time, Duane transferred to the North Dakota National Guard in Dickinson. Duane and Linda welcomed their son, Mark, in 1971 and their daughter, Carrie, in 1980. Raising their family brought Duane some of the happiest years of his life. Baseball games, camping trips, and countless evenings around the card table playing blitz, gin rummy, and pinochle created treasured memories. Throughout his working years, Duane held various jobs in Dickinson, including work with local businesses and managing an apartment building. He worked hard to provide for his family, but those who knew him understood that his true priorities were always Linda, Mark, and Carrie. His life revolved around the people he loved most. He could often be found carrying Linda's camera bag while she interviewed someone for a story. His last job before retirement was working in the back shop of The Dickinson Press, which he greatly enjoyed. His parents taught him the love of bowling, and he also developed a passion for playing pool. He became a remarkably skilled player, so good that he could guide the game just enough to let his children and grandchildren believe they had won by their own skill. Linda's death on July 31, 2024, left a profound void in Duane's life. Though he missed her deeply, he remained devoted to his family and found his greatest joy in time spent with his children and grandchildren. He also spent countless hours watching old westerns, classic television shows, and game shows. Duane treasured his relationships with his grandchildren. He took Julian fishing for the first time and shared many bowls of their favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream. Duane also enjoyed spending the winter months in California with Mark and Melissa and their family. Those winters provided precious time with his grandchildren, Alex and Cassie, playing pool, watching TV game shows, and creating memories that will be cherished for years to come. Duane will be remembered for his devotion to family, his quiet kindness, and his unwavering love for those closest to him. He found happiness not in grand accomplishments, but in the simple joys of being with the people he loved. He was the father and grandfather who sat on the ground and played cars, blocks, Legos, and board games without complaint for hours. He is survived by his son, Mark Sailer and daughter-in-law, Melissa Sailer of Foothill Ranch, CA, and daughter Carrie Sailer and son-in-law, Daniel Toms of West Linn, OR; three beloved grandchildren, Alexander Sailer, Cassandra Sailer, and Julian Toms; and many extended family and friends who miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda, and his parents, Oscar and Esther Sailer.
Red ID: FND_I_79719 Image ID: 595769 Image Notes: FND001 272227

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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