Obituary of Duane Lindquist

Duane Albert Lindquist, 84, passed away at home in Tacoma on June 30th, 2019. Duane was born on the family farm in Max, North Dakota on “Groundhogs Day”, February 2, 1935 to Albert and Anna Lindquist. He was the 9th child of a family of 10. Duane graduated from Max Public School in 1953, where he was quite a basketball star. He went on to Minot State University and graduated in 1958 with a Major in Business Education. He taught in Watford City, North Dakota and then moved to Warrenton, Oregon to further his education, and teach High School Business Education. He was drafted in the army from 1958-1960. He spent one year in Korea as a Cryptographer, and one year Stateside. He eventually moved to Tacoma, Washington, and went to work at Clover Park Vocational Technical Institute where he retired as Vice President of Instruction in 1997. When anyone asked what he did at CPVTI, he would always say “I went to meetings and drank coffee”. It was at Clover Park that he met Shirlee, the love of his life. Duane loved golf and enjoyed working in the yard. He always had the nicest lawn in the neighborhood. They traveled to Hawaii and Arizona frequently, and eventually retired in Arizona until health issues brought them back to Tacoma. Duane lost Shirlee unexpectedly on June 3rd, 2019. Duane was battling Leukemia this past year, and once Shirlee was gone, the disease progressed rapidly. June 22nd was their 43rd wedding anniversary. Duane is survived by his sister Clarice Zimmerman, brother Gordon whom he idolizes, stepdaughter Shari Grant (Scott), and 2 grandsons, Jaryd and Kehlan Ruffner, whom he was very proud of. He also has many nieces, nephews and cousins. Duane joins his wife Shirlee, daughter Traci Lindquist, stepdaughter Jodi Sundgren, parents Albert and Anna, brothers Orville, Donald, Walter, Harold, and sisters Eileen, Francis and Marleys in heaven. Duane will be missed by so many. His wish came true June 30th, “A tee time in heaven with Art, Earl and Jack. A joint Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date for Duane and Shirlee.