Duaine Ellsworth Flanders

Duaine E. Flanders, 81, of rural Benson, passed away Sunday morning, March 6, 2022, at his home in Langhei Township, Pope County, Minnesota. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 8, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson, and will continue, Wednesday, March 9, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, at West Zion Lutheran Church near Hancock, Minnesota, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm. Interment will be held later in the West Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed on the West Zion Lutheran Church’s facebook page. Memorials may be designated to the Swift County Humane Society or to Pioneer Public Broadcasting.

Duaine E. Flanders was born on Sunday, February 21, 1941, in Langdon, North Dakota, the son of Donald Leslie and Lois Orpha Gage Flanders. He was baptized and confirmed. He grew up in the Langdon North Dakota area and attended grade school in Calvin, North Dakota and graduated from Calvin High School. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Education from Mayville State University.

On June 30, 1963, Duaine was united in marriage to Peggy Raye Collins in St. Thomas, North Dakota. This union was blessed with over 58 years of marriage. They lived in Clinton, Minnesota where he taught High School English. In 1967 They moved to Benson, Minnesota where he taught from 1967 to 1980. After his career as a teacher, he owned a local implement dealership, farmed, worked for the state of Minnesota for AURI, worked in renewable energy, and sold real estate.

He has long been an entrepreneur at heart and is the owner and founder of Innovative Ventures; an organization that helps nurture and develop enterprises and small community business ventures. He was a member of the Lions Club, Masons and Eastern Star, and the Eagles of Langdon. Duaine served on the Benson City Council for four years and served as the Mayor of Benson for eight years. He developed curriculum for Flight Ground School, was an active member and served on boards for local churches, was a founding member of Chaplaincy Organization, and served on several local boards and committees in Benson.

He enjoyed flying his small engine plane and he restored and built six small airplanes. He enjoyed fishing and he collected vintage items. He loved spending time with his family. He was called from this life on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at his home. He attained the age of 81 years and 13 days.

Duaine is survived by his wife Peggy of Benson; children Stephanie (Marcus) Martin of Johnstown, Colorado, Sue Ellen (Brad) Hodnot, of Redmond, Oregon, and Bruce (Nadine) Flanders of Katy, Texas; grandchildren Sonny, Nicole, Lauren, Syndi, Hunter, and Makani; a great grandchild Sloane; siblings Rich (Marlyn) Flanders and Janie (Mack) Evans; and several other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his son Brian and his parents Donald and Lois Flanders. Blessed be his memory.