Duane Victor Johnson, born November 7, 1932, in Grafton, North Dakota, passed away on May 1, 2026 in Fargo. He attended District 13 grade school and graduated from Grafton High School in 1950. Duane went on to earn a degree in agriculture from North Dakota State University in Fargo in 1954, where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Following graduation, he entered the United States Army in the fall of 1954 and served two years as a lieutenant, with assignments in Alabama and Korea. Duane married Gloria Hoganson on June 30, 1954, beginning a partnership that lasted 62 years, until her passing in 2019. Together they built their life on the family farm near Grafton, where Duane farmed alongside his father, Victor, until his father's retirement in 1971. Duane and Gloria had three children: Terry (Douglas) Hartman of Atlanta, Georgia, and twins Jerry of Washington, DC and Janelle Howe of Long Beach, California.

Duane served in numerous roles over the years, including director of the Walsh County Farm Bureau, director of the Nash Grain and Trading Company, member of the Nash School Board District #51, 4-H leader, director of the Red River Valley Potato Growers' Association, and officer of the Walsh County Beet Growers' Association. Duane was also a 71-year member of the American Legion. Duane and Gloria traveled together visiting many places including Sweden, Norway, England, France, and Mexico. Duane took pride in having visited all 50 states during his lifetime. Duane and Gloria also spent many hours fishing, one of their favorite pastimes. In later years, they enjoyed spending winters in Naples, Florida, before relocating to Fargo in 2010.

Duane is survived by his son, Jerry; his daughters, Terry Hartman and Janelle Howe; his grandchildren, Colin Howe, Emma Howe, and Philip (Polly) Hartman; and his great-grandchildren, Theo, Bradley, and Lucas Hartman. He is also survived by nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria; his parents, Victor J. and Alice E. Johnson; his brother, Richard Johnson; and sister, Myrna Johnson.