Michael 'Mike' Steven Duren Obituary

Mike Duren, 69, of Maddock, ND, passed away peacefully on the sunny fall morning of October 4th, 2024, surrounded by family in his beloved home after a 7-month knock-down drag-out with cancer. We take comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain and never has to watch another commercial again. Mike has generously donated his body to UND’s Deeded Body Program to help students learn by “figuring out what the h*ll is going on in here.”

Michael Steven Duren was born in Maddock on May 29th, 1955, to Art and Marjorie (Zwack) Duren. The fifth of nine children, he was the only one to arrive on his anticipated due date, marking the first and last time he was ever on time according to his mother. A proud and avid Scout in his youth, Mike always had an affinity for helping others before himself, building a good fire, growing things with his green thumb, and knowing everything. As a kid, he enjoyed collecting baseball cards and comic books, taking care of his siblings, helping out at the family bakery, participating in every sport, making people laugh, and stressing out his parents. Following high school graduation in 1973, the discus state champ went on to attend NDSCS as part of their track and field team, graduating with his associate’s degree in electronics technology in 1975. Later in life, Mike was best known for throwing his famously large and loud New Year’s Eve parties, fixing up classic cars, wearing Birkenstocks before they were cool, being a proud "Deadhead", and collecting thousands of records, radios, and every antique in between. 

Fiercely independent and stubborn as a bull, Mike was equally determined, passionate, and hard-working. After spending a few years traveling down the West Coast from Seattle, Washington to San Francisco, California, taking photos and working construction, he returned home to Maddock in the early '90s. He and Kaaren (Swanson) Duren settled down in 1995, raising three daughters who were the absolute lights of Mike's life and his proudest accomplishments. Aside from his children, Mike’s other pride and joy was his home . Upon hearing that this house, originally built in 1906, was surely a lost cause, Mike proceeded to pour a labor of love into the farmhouse, successfully restoring its former charm and grandeur and proving everyone wrong. 

Family was truly at the center of everything for Mike. This was evident in his relationships with his daughters, in-laws, ex-wife, and granddaughter; in Duren Brothers Construction, the business he owned and operated for 30 years with his best friend and brother Gerry; and in the annual week-long 4th of July celebrations with his siblings, cousins, and ever-growing number of nieces and nephews at his childhood home in Maddock. 

Mike will live on through his daughters, Ashley (Andrew) Kitsch, Nora Duren, and Greta Duren; granddaughter, Eleanor Kitsch; siblings, Mary Duren Hermanson, Chris (Tom) Cahill, Gerard (Paula) Duren, Jan (Michaella) Duren, Jeanine (Joseph) Zeamer, Margaret (Dave) Emanuel; and countless other family and friends his soul touched throughout the years. He is preceded in death by his big brother Peter, his little sister Julie, his parents, Art and Marge, and several other party-goers he cherished along the way. He is and will be so deeply missed. 

Services to follow Thanksgiving weekend at the Community Center and Fourth of July weekend at the Duren farmhouse.