Earl Duane Sawvell of Waukon, formerly of Monona, died Monday, June 26, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Duane was born November 23, 1933 at Watson. He was the son of Alonzo and Ida (Kuehne) Sawvell. He attended country school at Watson. On July 12, 1952 he was united in marriage to Beverly Gress in Monona.
Duane worked as a farm hand for Bill Schlein early in his career. He then worked at Zahn gas station, Peglow Motor Company and worked at Swiss Valley in Luana, where he retired from. He served the community as a fireman for the Monona Fire Department. Duane enjoyed buying and selling guns and enjoyed gathering and sharing history of Watson and Monona. He never had a loss for words, never forgot a name and always had a story or a joke to tell. He is survived by one son, Donald (Linda) Sawvell of Monona; two daughters, Vickey (Roger) Ambrose of Marion, Lynn (Charlie) Ackerson of Burnsville, Minnesota; six grandchildren Theresa, Jodi, Alisa, Cody, Sarah and Hannah and twelve great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Beverly in 1998; two sisters, Melva Nagel and Wilma Gilson and one brother, Jr. Sawvell.
Visitation will be 4-7 pm on Friday, June 30, 2017 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, Iowa.
Graveside Service and Burial will be at 11:30 am, Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Monona Cemetery, Monona, Iowa with Rev. Erika Kielstrup as the Officant.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Monona Fire Department.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Monona, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.