Duane Silseth

Duane Louis Silseth was born on January 2, 1944 in Britton, SD to Orvis and Angeline (Slaby) Silseth and grew up on the family farm near Rutland, ND. He graduated from Havana High School in 1961 and then attended college at University of ND in Ellendale, ND where he played baseball and earned a teaching degree. He received his Masters Degree from NDSU, Fargo, ND in 1970. Duane married Pamela Johnson on June 19, 1965 and together they raised three children. They lived in Rolla, ND from 1965-1968 where he taught and coached. In 1968 they moved to Arthur, ND where he was principal for 2 years before becoming the Superintendent for 11 years. During that time Duane also coached football and was on the Board of Directors of the North Dakota High School Activities Association and served on many organizations. The family moved to Hunter in 1970 where they made their home until moving to Fargo in 1990. From 1981-1995 Duane left education and did work with Vocational Rehab and also some Sales. In 1996 he found himself back in education with the Cass Valley North School district as elementary principal. In 1997 the Cass Valley North and Dakota school districts consolidated and formed Northern Cass School district where he would be the elementary principal until his retirement in 2006. He also operated a small cleaning business for many years. Golfing was a passion of Duane's and he did it as often as he could enjoying the company of his many golfing buddies. Having coffee with his friends/colleagues, spending time at the lake in the summer, bowling, and visiting anyone he knew that was sick or hospitalized kept him busy and around people which is how he liked it. Duane also refereed many high school football games and highlights of that were the times he was able to referee at the Metrodome. His most proud moments were attending any events that his grandchildren participated in. On Tuesday, December 10th Duane lost his valiant fight with lung cancer surrounded by his family. He was quite the fighter surprising Doctors and nurses these past two years. Duane is survived by his wife of 48 years Pam; daughters Missy (Ron) Leraas, Hunter, ND, Wendy (Jesse) Bring, Galesburg, ND, and son Jason (Katie) Silseth, Fargo, ND; Grandchildren: Cassie, Adam, Austen Leraas, Ben, Hayden, Noah Bring, Payton, Laynee, Jake Silseth; siblings Bob (Linda) Silseth, Dent, MN, Curt (Judy) Silseth, Havana, ND, Pat (Steve) Saewert, Omaha, NE, Paulette (Kim) Paulson, Devils Lake, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Brittnee Jo Bring. Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with the prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran South. The funeral will be held at Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Hope Lutheran South. Burial will be at a later date at the Havana (ND) Cemetery. West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center westfuneralhome.com