Dennis Michael Duncan

Dennis Michael Duncan passed away on December 2, 2024 of aggressive, fast-moving cancer. He was in home hospice surrounded by his wife, Dawn, his dogs, Fergus and Barney, and his friends Rick and Amy Meidinger, as well as the caring team from Mesilla Valley Hospice.

Dennis was born on February 17, 1949 to John R. and Emma Mills Duncan in Yankton, South Dakota. After graduating high school, Dennis attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, then transferred to the University of Minnesota, where he studied Computer Science and Film. He was recruited by the super computer firm, Control Data, which worked closely with government. Dennis had a stellar career in IT, working in Naval Defense at the Pentagon, in Australia for 3 years, then NASA at Johnson Space Center, before taking a position working with international clients for super computer firm Convex in Richardson, TX in 1985. That move brought him a life change when he rented the house next door to a young woman who was a teacher and worked in theatre. On January 3, 1986, Dennis married his girl next door. Dennis encouraged Dawn to seek her PhD in English, her dream job. After she graduated, they moved to Moorhead, MN in 1994 where Dawn took a position in the English department of Concordia College-Moorhead. Dennis first worked for Microsoft Great Plains, then took a position in IT at Concordia College. For the period of 2010-2012, Concordia granted Dennis the Flatt Distinguished Service Award. In August 2019, Dennis retired as Director of Infrastructure and Dawn retired from her professorship. They then moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Dawn and Dennis Duncan had a long, loving marriage of almost 39 years, traveling the world together, enjoying their furry family members, and always modeling respect, mutual admiration, and loving care.

Dennis was widely known as an attentive, intelligent, kind, quiet soul who was a wonderful husband, colleague, and friend. Besides his career, Dennis was quite creative and had four hobbies across his life that he practiced with great skill: photography, craft beer brewing, leaded stained-glass artistry (windows, lamps, and hangings), and, especially over the last 25 years, master woodworking. He made unique tables, turned bowls, and even hand-crafted a traditional Windsor chair (no power tools involved). He loved maps, a natural part of his love of travel, having spent many a glorious trip in Europe and Asia, as well as across the USA. He was a welcome presence wherever he went and is deeply missed by many around our world.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Dawn and his dogs Fergus and Barney (Las Cruces, NM); niece Carol Labiosa (Glenn), Houston, TX; nephew Bob Kirkpatrick ( Maggie), Houston, TX; nephew Timothy Kirkpatrick (Leisa), Missouri City, TX; nephew Michael Kirkpatrick (Cora), Washington, DC; niece Denise Donovan (John), Houston; nephews Chris, Kenny, Scott and Brian of San Diego, CA; sister-in-law Cheryl Close (Van), Copper Canyon, TX; sister-in-law Renee Goodwin (Dan), Groveland, FL; sister-in-law Marla Bell (Michael), Aubrey, TX; niece Krystal Williams (Josh), Caddo Mills, TX; nephew Terry Jay Harris (Kyleigh), Farmersville, TX; nephew Mitchell Harris, Farmersville, TX; nephew Cody Bell, Aubrey, TX; niece Kayla Melchor (Jhonny), Lewisville, TX; niece Desirae Goodwin Frisby, Fruitland Park, FL; and many great-nieces and nephews, as well as dear friends. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings John, Janice, and Patrick; his nephew Patrick; and his niece Vanessa Dawn.

Dennis’s cremation and memorial page is being handled by Getz Funeral Home, https://www.getzfuneralhome.com/. The family invites you to write messages. On May 8th, 2025, in celebration of Dennis’s life and in keeping with his Irish-American heritage, family and friends are invited to a wake to be held at The Blarney Stone/First Avenue Bar in Fargo, ND from 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to donate something in Dennis’s name, please choose between one of the following:

• The American Cancer Society

• Animal Companions of Las Cruces, founded by Dawn: https://animalcompanionsoflascruces.org/donate