Duane Beutler

Duane Willis was born on September 6, 1925 in Guthrie, ND, to John and Vivia Belzer Beutler. He grew up in Guthrie, ND and Dilworth, MN; graduating from Dilworth High School in 1942. Duane served in the Army from 1942 to 1945 during WWII. He returned to Dilworth, MN and completed a year of business school. He married Jean Dudley on November 17, 1951 in Fargo, ND. They made their home in Averill, MN where Duane farmed until 1975. They moved to rural Moorhead, MN and owned 5 J’s Cafe in Dilworth, MN; then the cafeteria at American Crystal Sugar in Moorhead, MN. Duane also cooked at the American Legion in Fargo, ND until his retirement. Duane was a member and Past Commander of the American Legion, Dilworth, MN. He was also a member of the VFW, Dilworth, MN and a former member of the Eagle’s. Duane also enjoyed watching sports on television and trips to the casino. He is survived by his wife, Jean; 3 sons, Duane “Jay” Kim, Huson, MT, Jerome “Jerry” Rich Bement, Glendale, AZ, and Jeff Julie, West Fargo, ND; one daughter, Jenny Mike Kjos, Hawley, MN; daughters-in-law, Chris Schmidtke, Dilworth, MN and Marilyn VanderWerff, Fargo, ND; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Duane is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Victor; son, John Nicholas III; and granddaughter, Bobby Jo.