Duane Mutch

Duane Mutch, age 94, of Larimore, ND, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Duane Ollen Mutch was born on May 13, 1925 in Arvilla, ND to Floyd and Leona (Paupst) Mutch.  Later the family moved to Kempton, ND where Floyd operated Mutch Oil Company.

Duane graduated from Larimore High School in 1943 as class Valedictorian.  Shortly thereafter he was drafted into the Army and eventually served in Patton’s Third Army in Europe.  After World War II he returned to the family business.  On October 23, 1949, Duane and Dolores Severtson were married in New Rockford, ND.  In 1956 he opened a service station in Larimore and he and his family moved to Larimore two years later.

In 1958 Duane was elected to complete the term of deceased State Senator Oliver Bilden; he was re-elected and went on to serve in the North Dakota State Senate for 47 years.

Throughout his life, Duane was very much interested in history and politics, and he remained active in causes related to conservative American values and in his petroleum business.  After the 2016 election, Duane was honored to serve as one of North Dakota’s three members of the Electoral College.

Duane is survived by his wife, Dolores; his children, Martha Mutch of Roseville, Minnesota; John (Michele) Mutch of Apple Valley, MN and their daughters Emily, Anna, and Claire Mutch; and Paul (Julie) Mutch of Larimore, ND and their children Meredith Mutch, Alexander Mutch, Nathan Borgen, and Mackenzie (Borgen) Neamonitis.

MEMORIALS:  Any memorials received will be donated to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Larimore, Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore, and Larimore Ambulance and Rescue Service.

FUNERAL SERVICES:  5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 21 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Larimore.

VISITATION:  Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the funeral in the church on Sunday.

INTERMENT:   Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore

MILITARY HONORS:  Ted Valerius Post 97 of the Larimore American Legion and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Team.