May 22, 1933 – April 21, 2020 (age 86)
Dwayne “Louie” Francis Paquin was born on May 22, 1933, in Long Prairie, MN the eldest child of Keith and Ann Paquin. They moved to Herman, MN when he was a teenager and attended Herman High School. Shortly after Dwayne went out to Western North Dakota and worked on a ranch and his dream of being a cowboy was fulfilled. He then took a job delivering nitro glycerin for the Dakota oil rigs before returning to MN.
Dwayne was drafted into the United States Army on January 26, 1955. He proudly served his country during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on January 25, 1957. Following his military service he worked operating heavy equipment on the construction of Interstates & the Oahe Dam in SD. Dwayne attended NDSU with aspirations of becoming an Engineer, but he left schooling after a couple years to work full time in the Fargo/Moorhead area which was home for over 35 years. He met his wife Linda in 1965 and they were married in 1967 during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the Black Hills of SD. They were married for 30 years and raised all four of their boys before embarking on their own different paths.
Dwayne had a career with Steiger Tractor and was a welder and fabricator by trade. He advanced there and became a supervisor. He was always proud of his time with Steiger but more than that he made life long friends he would visit with and call several times per week right up until his last week on earth. He left there in 1980 and returned to farm with his parents in Herman, MN. His last crop on the farm was in 1999. After retiring in 1999 Dwayne met “Getty” Swenson and they spent the last 20 years on countless adventures by land, sea, and sky.
“Louie” will be remembered as a “Peasant of the Land” as his business card stated he was a farmer, sailor, cowboy, biker, collector of antique tractors, trucks, guns, knives and axes. His number one goal in life was to stay in contact with his family and friends. When calling you his classic lines would be “what’s new”, “where are you”. He enjoyed writing letters and sending pictures, so one way or the other he was determined to stay in touch.
Dwayne had countless hobbies, but some of his more passionate ones were waterskiing, motorcycles, airplanes, photography and traveling. He was a free spirit, he didn’t mind having a plan but he was more than comfortable just “winging it”. He was a man of the moment and always up for a good time!
Dwayne died at his home surrounded by family on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. He is survived by his special friend of over 20 years, Brigitte Swenson; three sons: Dan (Leticia) of Lake Park, MN, Jayme (Carol) of Sabin, MN, Louis of Moorhead; ten grandchildren, several great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, six siblings: Arlene, Rosemary, Lois, Dolly, Carol and David; his adopted family the Swenson Clan and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher; daughter, Jacqui; two grandchildren, sister, Faye.
A celebration of Dwayne’s life will take place at a later date. Please leave memories on his tribute wall on the funeral home website for the family and in lieu of flowers memorials to the family of Dwayne Paquin.
