Duane Betz, 85, of Garrison, passed away February 29, 2024, at the Benedictine Living Center in Garrison.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Church of God, Garrison, ND. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Thompson Funeral Home, Garrison, ND. A Military Burial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.
Duane was born December 11, 1938, in Garrison, ND to Rudy and Pauline Betz. He graduated from Garrison High School in 1957. Duane served in the Army at Fort Bliss Texas from June 27, 1960-June 27, 1962. He then served in the Army Reserve until honorably discharged in 1966.
Duane married Judy Willits on May 22, 1970, in Garrison. They raised their three sons in Garrison. Duane worked as a carpenter for Union 1091 on many different power plant projects. He retired in 2000.
Duane is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, Mike (Vicki) Bismarck, Chad (Amy) Garrison, Scott (Lydia) Bismarck; eight grandchildren, Brandon (Aberdeen SD), Alissa (Tyler) Force (Bismarck), Joshua (Bismarck), Jacob (Fargo), Alexis (Bismarck), Ethan (Bismarck), Sheridan (Bismarck) and Reagen (Bismarck).
Duane was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Lyle and Marvin; sister-in-law, Lorraine (Cis) Betz and Lorene Betz; father-in-law, James Willits; mother-in-law, Elsie Willits; brother-in-law, Russell Willits; grandson, Jamison Betz.
CHI Health at Home – Bismarck and We Honor Veterans Program had the privilege of awarding a Quilt of Honor to Duane B. during his Veteran Pinning Ceremony. The quilt was made special by Corpus Christi Caring Hearts Quilt Guild. Honored to be assisting in his wrapping were his wife Judy and his son Mike. Duane enlisted in the United States Army in June 1960. He was stationed in Fort Bliss Texas where he was attached to Company D 815″ Engineering Battalion (Const). Duane transferred to the USAR in June 1962. He was honorably discharged June 1966. His rank at discharge was Specialist E-4 and his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Carpenter. Duane received a Good Conduct Medal and was a member of the American Legion.
To view a livestream of the service, go to www.facebook.com/garrisonthompsonfh/ or to the Thompson Funeral Home-Garrison, ND Facebook page.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Duane Betz, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
