Duane Lettenmaier, age 70, of Valley City, ND died Sunday April, 11, 2021 after a short battle with ALS.

Duane Larry Lettenmaier was born November 28, 1950 at Sanborn, ND the son of Calvin and Ilah Mae (Kronebusch) Lettenmaier.  Duane grew up on the family farm near Sanborn, ND and graduated from Sanborn High School in 1968.  He enlisted in the US Army in 1969, serving as a Crew Chief on a UH-1 “Iroquiois” helicopter.  Duane was honorably discharged in 1970 and returned home to begin his life-long career of farming.

Duane married Patricia Brandenberg on June 28, 1975 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sanborn.  They had five children Kari, Douglas, Timothy, Steven and Lindi Kay.  Being a father was one of his greatest joys.

Duane served his community throughout his life, including over forty years on the Sanborn Rural Fire Department and Heman Township officer and assessor.

After thirty years together, on November 9, 2020, he married Loretta Rasmusson Kluksdal in Britton, South Dakota.  They moved to Valley City following his diagnosis.

He is survived by his wife, Loretta; 2 daughters, Kari (Jeff) Braaflat and Lindi (fiance’ Rory Hendrickson) Lettenmaier, both Fargo, ND; sons, Doug (Jenny) Lettenmaier,  Litchville ND and Tim (Stacy) Lettenmaier, Sanborn, ND; stepdaughter, Amber (Scott) Reynolds, Spirit Lake, IA; stepson, Jason Kluksdal, Williston ND;  grandchildren, Kaden, Halle, and Brynn Braaflat, Brady, Georgia and Henry Lettenmaier, Parker Lettenmaier, Austyn, Dillon and Riley Reynolds, Jaxie Kluksdal; mother, Ilah Mae; sisters, Maribeth (Richard) Larson and Leanne (Jerry) Hayes; brothers, David (Maureen) and Kent (Connie); as well as sisters-in-law, Sandi and Mary.

Duane was preceded in death by his father, Calvin; son, Steven; brothers, Theodore and Jerome.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Valley City, ND with military honors following.  Visitation will be held at the church from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm followed by a prayer service. Internment will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Sanborn, ND.  The prayer service as well as the mass will be livestreamed along with Duane’s obituary on his tribute page found at www.lerudschuldt.com.  In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be directed to ALS research.