Duane Albert Mackowick, 85, passed away August 25, 2026, at the Broadway Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was born November 3, 1940, at Crookston, Minnesota to Alphonse and Aurora Boucher Mackowick.
Duane, also known as Dewey and Mack, grew up in Crookston and graduated from the Cathedral High School with the class of 1958.
At the young age of 17 he joined the navy. He spent most of his time in Hawaii working in an office and was never even on a ship!!
Duane returned to Crookston and joined his dad in the carpentry business. He became an excellent carpenter and cabinet maker.
Duane married Ramona (Faye) Klongerbo at the Cathedral Church in Crookston July 12, 1969. They moved to Moorhead and have lived here to the present time.
To this union four sons were born: Matthew, Mark, Michael and Marlon.
Duane worked at Quality Builders in Moorhead and later joined Twin Cities Construction in Fargo in the cabinet shop. When the shop closed there, he got a job at Gremada Industries in West Fargo working as a welder….something he had never done before! It made him nervous, but he learned a whole new trade and it was a very good change for our family and he stayed there for 21 years until his retirement. He made many new friends there and used to meet them for breakfast once a month over the years.
During retirement Duane and Faye enjoyed going on guided tours which included the Canadian Rockies, Europe, and Alaska. They also enjoyed an extended family trip using the Amtrak train to visit New York City and Washington DC.
They also enjoyed attending Lizzie and Abbie’s orchestra and band concerts. And they have been following the Moorhead Spuds Hockey team for many years of excitement!
Duane was a faithful church member and attendance was important to him. He also was happy when his family visited.
Duane is survived by his wife, Faye, four sons Matthew, Mark (Lynn), Michael (Maggie) and Marlon, four granddaughters, Jenna, Rachael (Jacob), Elizabeth and Abigail, one brother, Larry of Moorhead, two sisters, Mary Jo (Dennis) of Milbank, SD, and Diane Mackowick of Moorhead. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Kathleen Mackowick of Red Wing, MN and two step-grandchildren, Ben Auch and Alicia Auch. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and many other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, James, sister, Judy Ann, parents-in-law, Leonard and Frances Klongerbo, daughter-in-law Colleen Mackowick and sister-in-law Bonnie Mackowick.
Rest in Peace, Duane, until we meet again in Heaven!
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Fargo VA Health Care System in memory of Duane.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 1, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN.
Interment will be at Fargo National Cemetery, Harwood, ND.
Online guestbook and video tribute at www.wrightfuneral.com
