North Dakota Lions
District Governor 5NE
2008-2009

Duane Zwinger

Duane was born and raised on a farm in Sykeston, ND and graduated from Sykeston High School. He went on to college at Valley City State Teachers in Valley City, ND. Taught school (mathematics, physical Ed. & coach), then went on to get a Masters of Science Degree in Educational Administration from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. The last 13 years of his “formal” educational career were spent being Superintendent at Gackle-Streeter Public School in Gackle, ND. Duane retired in June of 1997. Since then he has worked in various aspects of education. Currently the High School Principal at Pingree-Buchanan in Pingree, ND. He will have a total of 44 years of work in a variety of educational positions after this year.

Duane and Mary Ann have been married for 42 years and have three grown daughters; Deanna, Debbie & Kim. They have four grandchildren; Elena (7), Ellen (6), Alex (4) & Olivia (2). Duane enjoys sports very much including football, basketball & baseball. He enjoys the outdoor sports of fishing, hunting & golf. Duane and Mary Ann enjoy family, especially their grandchildren, traveling and musicals.

Duane first became a Lion in the fall of 1984 while at Gackle. Was a member there until the fall of 1999 where he joined the Carrington Lions Club. He has held many of the offices in these two clubs. Being President of Gackle (1988-89 & 1995-96) and Carrington (2003-06). He was honored with the President Excellence Award in 2006. He has served as District 5NE Zone Chairman for Zone A-3 from 2005-2007. Duane was elected Vice District Governor Elect in October 2006 and Vice District Governor of 5NE in 2007.

Duane is an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Carrington. He is involved in various functions of the Church Mass and is a member of the parish council and has taught students in the religious education program. He is very active in the Knights of Columbus Council # 4951 of Carrington. Currently the District Deputy of District #13. Duane is also a member of the CrossRoads Golf Club and the Carrington “Cardinal” Booster Club.

Duane was honored by the Carrington Lions Club with being named a Melvin Jones Fellow in December. (Thanks, Carrington Lions, it is truly a great honor.) He is looking forward to his year as District Governor of 5NE with its many challenges and rewards and is asking for the support of all Lions of the District.

North Dakota Lions
Vice District Governor 5NE
2008-2009

Wayne Westlund

Wayne Westlund was born in Greenbush, MN, the oldest of four sons born to Victor and Florence Westlund.  He was raised on a farm near Strathcona, MN.  He attended grades one thru seven at a rural one room school.  After consolidation or the rural schools he attended 8th grade in Strathcona and High School in Greenbush.  After graduating from High School in 1954, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served on active duty for three years as a Air Traffic Controller.  Upon his release from active duty in 1957 he enrolled at the University of North Dakota.  He received his under graduate degree from the College of Business and Public Administration in 1961 and his law degree from the UND Law School in 1964.  He worked in private industry for two years and in August 1966 was hired as a civilian attorney with the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps at Grand Forks Air Force Base.  He retired from that position in October 1997.  In August, 2004 he was appointed by the North Dakota District Court to his present position of Public Administrator for Grand Forks County;

In the spring of 1998, Wayne was invited to join the South Forks Lions Club by the former Lion Hall of Fame member Donald Miller.  He has several years of leadership experience.  He has served two years as a Director,  three years as Vice President and one year as President.  He also served one year as Zone Chairperson.  He has been involved in all of the fund raising activities of the club since joining.  He was chosen Lion of the Year in 2004-2005 and again in 2007-2008.

On June 1, 1963, Lion Wayne married the former Dorothy Prosser and they have four grown children.  They are David, Carrollton, TX, Brian, Grand Forks, ND, Kevin, Houston, TX, and Kari Carslon, Bemidji, MN.  They also have four granddaughters: Kelli, Katie, Abby and Natalie, two grandsons, Nicholas and Alex and two step-grandsons, Ryan and Tyler.

In addition to his work with the Lion, Wayne has been a Sunday school teacher and served on the church council at Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Forks.  He has been a member the UND Booster Club for over thirty years and has served a three year term on the Board of Directors.  He is a long time sports official having worked high school football and both amateur and college softball and baseball.  He was also North Dakota Deputy Umpire in Chief for fifteen years.  During that time he registered gave umpire clinics for the northeastern area of North Dakota and served as umpire-in-chief for state tournaments held in the area.  He has umpired in six national tournaments, as well as several regional and many state tournaments  He presently serves as game clock operator for UND football and men’s basketball games.