Richard Duane Gram, 69, died Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

Richard Duane Gram was born November 6, 1934 at the Grygla Hospital, the son of Milford and Clara (Olesen) Gram. He attended Big Grass Country School through the 8th grade. Following school he helped on the home farm, worked for Gladden Logging in Beltrami Island State Forest and Silver Bay Mining Company. Duane entered the United States Army from 1957 to 1959, serving in Korea, where he was a Track Vehicle Mechanic. Duane earned his GED while he was in service. He also worked at Arctic Cat, where he was a Racing Team Mechanic from 1973 to 1978. He also worked in engineering at Arctic, doing prototypes for different products, including a scooter, a dune buggy and several snowmobile motor enhancements. Duane had a great mind for building. He traveled with the Arctic Team around the world. Duane was part owner of Napa Parts Store in Grygla from 1983 to 1998 and his most recent job was working for McDonagh Construction, where he was grader operator and mechanic.

Duane enjoyed teaching hunting, fishing and gun safety. He loved to fish and hunt and his intricate knowledge of guns was unending. He liked to target practice and had his farm set up as a shooting range. Duane always enjoyed listening to music and he was the #1 Fan of Lois and Lois. He was a very humble man and enjoyed playing pinochle. Duane also loved spending time at his place at Lake of the Woods. He was a member of the NRA and the Grygla VFW.

Duane is survived by brothers and sisters: Dennis Dale (Linda) Gram of Bloominton, MN, Kay Skip (Irene) Gram of Rochester, MN, Polly (Melvin) Englund of Grygla, MN, Beverly Hough of Cass Lake, MN, Donna (Jim) McNally of King of Prussia, PA, Lois (Dale) Anderson of Middle River, MN and Pat Thompson of Grand Rapids, MN; four aunts: Harriet Scott of Hayes, SD, Wilma (Wayne) Carr of Longmont, CO, Adeline Gram of Detroit Lakes, MN and Vera Olesen of Winnebago, IL; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; brother, Larry, in infancy; brother-in-law, Jack Hough; one niece, Kathleen Burnette; and several aunts and uncles.

Family condolences may be sent visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.net