BEND Duane Dennis Lippert, 50, of John Day, died March 20, 2011, at the Hospice House in Bend, following a short battle with cancer. 

A public viewing will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Driskill Memorial Chapel. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at Canyon City Cemetery with Allan Mullin officiating. A potluck reception will follow at the John Day Senior Center.

Mr. Lippert was born July 11, 1960, in Prineville, the third son to Harold and Mary (Stimpson) Lippert. 

He grew up in Monument, graduating from Monument High School in 1978.

On July 10, 2010, he married Elizabeth Zbiegien of Evans, Wash., in Sandpoint, Idaho. 

A longtime resident of John Day, he owned and operated Bezona Contracting for many years, and was well-known throughout the area for his hard work, skill and talent in excavation.

He loved the outdoors and was an avid snowmobiler and four-wheeler and dirt-bike rider. He also enjoyed horseback riding, raising cattle, hunting and helping friends, family and the John Day community.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; daughters, Britnee and Jaylee Lippert of John Day; father, Harold Lippert of Crane; and brothers, David and Donnie Lippert of Monument.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary (Stimpson) Lippert; aunts and uncles, Elmer Lippert, Al and Irene Hinton, Loren and Joan Lippert, and Art Lippert; and grandparents, Eugene and Amanda Lippert.

Memorial contributions may be made to the John Day Old West Federal Credit Union branch through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.