Candidate for Dunn board dies in car accident; prompting questions before 2026 election

The tragic death of a candidate for the Dunn Township board, just a few weeks before the Nov. 3 election, raised questions about how to proceed.

The late John Kvare was one of three candidates who filed for the seat held by Duane Seifert. Kvare, Seifert, and Barb Zahasky all filed for the seat. The ballots had already been printed, and early voting was underway when Kvare was killed in a car accident Oct. 19, so Township Clerk Sandy Tingelstad contacted the Otter Tail County Auditor’s Office for information on how to proceed.

Based on information from the Minnesota State Auditor’s Office, if Kvare received the most votes, the township board would appoint a replacement. The appointed individual would serve until the next election, which would be in November of 2028.

Dunn Township is located northeast of Pelican Rapids, and includes most of Pelican Lake within its boundaries. The current five-member town board includes David Johnson, Mary Nyquist, Robert Dalman, Adrian Lund, and Seifert.

With a population of about 1,000, it is likely that many are informed of Kvare’s death—and would be aware when they go to the Dunn Town Hall precinct to vote Nov. 3, noted Clerk Tingelstad.

Kvare was pronounced dead at the scene following a two-vehicle accident Oct. 19, near Rothsay. A second victim was airlifted to Sanford hospital.

Kvare, 59, was a 1985 graduate of Pelican High School. His father, Charles, was a longtime past member of the Dunn Town Board.

Wilkin County Dispatch received multiple 911 calls reporting a two-vehicle accident at approximately 1:26 p.m. Oct. 19.

Emergency crews arrived on scene at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 26 west of Rothsay, Minnesota, and located two male parties.

According to the release, emergency personnel performed lifesaving measures on Kvare, 59, of Pelican Rapids, but were unsuccessful. Kvare, who drove a Ford F-350, was pronounced deceased on scene, according to the Wilkin Sheriff’s Office.

The driver of a GMC 1500, 65-year-old Timothy John Deal of Doran, Minnesota, was airlifted by Sanford AirMed to a hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Wilkin County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Minnesota State Patrol, Rothsay Fire Department, Barnesville Ambulance, Sanford AirMed, and Beyer’s Towing.

Kvare was born Mar. 16, 1967, to Charles and Barbara Kvare of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. John graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1985 and Detroit Lakes Technical College in 1988. John spent most of his working life in the family business of trucking, salvage, and excavating.

Funeral services were held at Larson Funeral and Cremation Service in Pelican Rapids, Oct. 23.