Duane was born on November 14, 1952, in Britton, S.D., to Desmond and Cecilia (fka Buttenhoff) Jerde. The fourth of five children, he grew up in a busy home they also shared with his grandfather. A proud Eagle Scout and delegate to South Dakota Boy’s State, Duane was driven from an early age by a sense of service and leadership. He also enjoyed a good laugh, often joking that he still holds the record in the 880-yard relay at Britton High School from 1971 (with fellow Cindermen teammates Mark Hartinger, “Bronco” Lemke, and Dave Heitmann) – but only because the distance for that race changed the following year!

Some of Duane’s fondest childhood memories were the regular trips to his mother’s family farm to spend time with cousins and extended family and the family’s annual vacation to Lake Carlos near Alexandria, MN. Swimming, boating, fishing, and trips to A&W for root beer became traditions that he would later pass on to his own children and grandchildren, taking many trips to Alexandria and eventually buying their own home on Lake Darling, where he and Bette lived for many years after Duane’s retirement.

Duane grew up with a strong sense of community, hard work, and integrity – values that would guide him throughout his life. He graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospital Administration in 1975 – a first step on a long professional path of service and leadership in rural healthcare. Early in his career, Duane served as Assistant Administrator at Garrison Memorial Hospital in Garrison, ND. He went on to become the Administrator of the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City, ND, then President and CEO of Carrington Medical Center in Carrington, ND, and finally, President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center in Williston, ND. In each of these roles, he embodied the principles of servant leadership – always putting people first and deeply committed to the patients, staff, and communities he served. Never one to stop learning, Duane also worked to achieve his Master’s degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Colorado while also balancing work, family, and community responsibilities. Duane’s commitment to community extended beyond the workplace, and he was actively involved in numerous other leadership roles, including serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce in Carrington and Chairman of the North Dakota Hospital Association. A man of faith and quiet generosity, Duane also volunteered at church and sang in church choir.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Duane found has greatest joy in his family. On July 17, 2025, he celebrated 49 years of marriage with his lifelong love, Bette, a partnership marked by unwavering support, laughter, and deep affection. Thankfully, Bette’s early efforts to set Duane up with friends and co-workers at St. Ansgar Hospital in Fargo, ND, where they met failed miserably! He was already smitten with the “blonde bombshell” he was training to replace him. With his whole heart, Duane embraced not only Bette but her three children – Terra, Todd (TJ), and Shari - whom he adopted shortly after they married in Williston, ND in 1976. Together, they built a home and raised a family grounded in love, faith, and kindness – values Duane modeled every day. And whether he and Bette were golfing together, watching the PGA Tour curled up on the couch, cheering on the Vikings (SKOL!), trave ing, or attending their children’s and grandchildren’s many activities over the years, they made every moment together count.

A man of quiet strength, dry humor, and enduring humility, Duane leaves behind a legacy of kindness, caring, compassion, servant leadership, and love. These are traits and qualities that showed through to the very end of Duane’s life, even as he struggled with severe pain and the advancing stages of dementia. He will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. Duane is survived by his loving wife, Bette; his children Terra Jerde, TJ (Jingxi) Jerde, Shari (Ryan) Aberle; grandchildren Stephen (Nicole) Jerde, Brandon (Bethany) Jerde, Meara Aberle, Jonah Aberle, Eli Aberle; great-granddaughter Elia Jerde; siblings Lloyd Jerde, Susan (Paul) Frederickson, David (Judy) Jerde, Ed (Maggie) Jerde; nieces, nephews, and many dear friends and extended family.

Aservice to celebrate Duane’s life will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Elk River Lutheran Church, 729 Main Street NW, Elk River, MN. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. and there will be light snacks, coffee, and dessert following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider planting a tree in Duane’s memory or donating to have one planted through the Arbor Day Foundation (www. arborday.org) as a lasting tribute to a man who deeply valued family roots, quiet growth, and the beauty of nature.

Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again.