Duane "Dewey" Allen Harms

Duane A. “Dewey” Harms, 73, of Bemidji, MN died Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at his home surrounded by family.

A Celebration of Life will begin at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji, MN.

Duane was born September 11, 1945 to Ervin and Ella Harms of Mahnomen, Minnesota. He grew up in Mahnomen where he was confirmed. He then moved to Two Rivers, Wisconsin at the age of 19 where he found the love of his life Shirley Decker. They were united in love on September 17th, 1966 at St. Marks Catholic Church in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. They were blessed with three beautiful children, Valerie, Todd and Tanya. In Two Rivers, he worked at Mirro and Ek Foundry. Later Dewey moved the family to Bemidji, MN and where he worked at Nu-ply/Georgia Pacific/Eagles for many years until retirement.

Duane had many hobbies, fishing being his favorite, where he would leave work after a long night and sit in his fish house that he built from scratch. He would start his wood stove and fish until the early morning hours. His prize possession, 8lb Walleye was mounted and is still on the wall at his home. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, camping, wood projects and watching football. Dewey had lots of Purple Pride and would never miss a Vikings game. He also loved to dance where he was certified as an Arthur Murray dancer with his wife. Anyone would tell you that he would be the first on the dance floor kicking his leg from side to side preferably from music of the 60’s. There were many days we would walk into the house where he had his 8-track player on the counter listening to the oldies. He had a smile you will never forget and loved to joke around. He was a loving husband, father and Grandfather that will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Harms of Bemidji; son Todd (Tammara) Harms of Sauk Rapids; daughter Tanya (Aaron Schmitz) Anderson of Bemidji; daughter Valerie (Dave) Isaacson of Cass Lake; 9 grandchildren; Shayna, Tyler, McKayla, Emma (Harms), Triplets: Payton, Seth, Cody (Anderson), Allyn, Chantel (Issacson); and 2 great grandchildren, brothers Dick (Donna) Harms of Florida, James (Sandy) Harms of Fargo, ND and Ken (Carol) Harms of Fargo, ND; sisters Beverly Rolland of Fargo, ND, Delaine Eckberg of Fosston, MN, Mavis Nystad of Gary, MN and Marsha (Bill) Winters of Fargo, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Ronnie Harms and grandson Brandon Harms.

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