Duane Darling, 72, Leeds, ND, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at Altru Health Center (Grand Forks, ND) surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at 11:00 AM. at Leeds Lutheran Church, Leeds, ND, with Pastor Michael Pretzer officiating. Visitation will begin 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday, November 15, 2014. Interment will follow at the Brinsmade Lutheran Cemetery, Brinsmade, ND. Honorary Pall Bearers: Michael Kester, Michael Drew, Richard Halverson, Curt Ericksmoen, Thomas Russell, Don Strang, Tom Nordhaugen, Stanley Miller, Hy Schlieve, Reid Straabe, William Julson, Ron Julson, Steve Stevenson, Thomas Russell, Dwaine Hoff, Marty Amble, Craig Fisk, and all Duane's special friends from Mesa Regal(Arizona).
Duane was born on the farm near Leeds, ND on April 20, 1942, to Richard and Edna (Johnson) Darling. He graduated from Leeds High School, then attended Lake Region Junior College, Mayville State College, and the University of North Dakota obtaining his Master's Degree and Specialist's in Education Administration.
Duane married Shirley (Remmen) on June 24, 1961. Together they raised three children (Doug, Denise, and Daniel), and shared their passion for education in each of the communities where he taught math and /or worked as an administrator: Drayton, ND, Esmond, ND, Fordville, ND, East Grand Forks, MN, Michigan, ND, Center, ND, Berthold, ND, South Heart, ND. Although he retired in 1997, he did serve one more school at Mentor, MN. Whichever school they were in, Duane and his family were an integral part of the school community, attending as many events as possible. It is no surprise that both his sons were drawn to education. At a recent family gathering, all the current and retired teachers added up the total years they had in education combined. Counting Duane's sons and their spouses, his brothers and their spouses and children and grandchildren, there were close to 225 years of Darling Education experience.
As busy as he was meeting the obligations of an administrator and serving in organizations, he always found time to hunt or fish, terms synonymous with the Darling name. In his retired years, Duane and Shirley became experts at going to garage sales. Together, they would buy items, refurbish and then consign them. Shirley, Duane's partner in so many aspects of his life, passed away just a few months short of their 50th Anniversary.
In his last years, Duane taught one of his greatest lessons: the power of love. From his tender care of Shirley as she battled cancer, he showed the great depths of love; from his joyful time with Sharon, he showed it is never too late for love. He and Sharon (Smeltzer) married on Nov. 3, 2012. They split their time between Leeds and Mesa. Their two short years together were filled with so much joy: fishing on Devils Lake, working on home improvement projects, and enjoying warm winters in Arizona.
Duane was known for his sense of humor. He always had a story to tell and a practical joke to play. He also had an uncanny ability to remember students he taught and people who worked for him, often recognizing them even decades later. Somehow, he found a way to make friends with anyone he met. Whatever a person's mood before being with Duane, they were always smiling when they parted. But above all, Duane was known for his unabashed pride of and love for all his family, but especially his grandchildren
Duane is survived by his wife: Sharon Darling; children: Dr. Doug Darling(Teresa) and Denise Fisk; grandchildren: DJ Darling, Kyle and Jessica Fisk, Trevor, Miranda, and Adrienne Darling, and step grandchildren: Cody, Taryn, and Kaiti Amble, Zachary and Jacob Smeltzer. He is also survived by his siblings: Harry (Sandra) Darling, Bismarck; and Ray (Marlys) Darling, Leeds, as well as his step-siblings: Evadeen Bagleen, Dennis and Wayne Johnson and many extended family members.
Duane was preceded in death by his wife Shirley and his son, Daniel; both parents, Richard and Edna (Johnson) Darling; brothers: Leslie and Larry; and stepmother: Dorothy Darling.

Memorials may be sent to the Darling Family Endowment at Lake Region State College.

Online guestbook is available at www.thenelsonfuneralhome.com