Duane Arthur Jellings, 89, of West Union, Iowa went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 13, 2021. He was born October 25, 1931 in Wadena, Iowa to Arthur and Erna Jellings. He was baptized and confirmed on April 23, 1950. Duane attended a one room school house through eighth grade, then graduated from Wadena High School in 1949. He spent one year at Upper Iowa University. Duane was a baseball pitcher in high school and continued to love the game all his life. He was an avid Cardinal fan, while his wife, Darlene loved the Cubs. This made for a fun rivalry throughout the years.
Following Upper Iowa, Duane went to work as a butter maker at the Volga Creamery. Shortly thereafter a beautiful 18 year old teacher moved to Wadena and caught the eye of Duane. Duane and Darlene dated two years and were married on June 1, 1952 in Lowden, Iowa. He was drafted into the Army in January 1953 and served in Anchorage, Alaska until December 1954. He was joined by his wife and newborn daughter. Duane recently received a quilt of valor for his service. Following his discharge, Duane worked at a creamery in Oelwein, Iowa. They moved to West Union in 1963, where he was employed by Humphrey Dairy/Schwans.
Duane worked at H&H Distributing until his retirement in 1995. As a result of all the years as a route salesman, he developed a real love of driving. Family trips provided many cherished memories. Duane and Darlene square danced for over forty years, enjoying many great friendships. Family get togethers often involved card playing, another lifelong hobby of Duanes. During his retirement, Duane was in a bowling league and enjoyed getting together with his “Coffee Guys”. His lifelong love of music was such a blessing especially in his last year of life.
Duane was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and a charter member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. He served as Treasurer and on the church council.
Surviving Duane are his wife of sixty-nine years, Darlene; three children, Vickie Jacobs of Haddon Heights, New Jersey, Dennis (Dee) Jellings of West Union and Lori (Karl) Lindberg of Clive, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Darcy, Brittany, Craig, Andrew, Sarah, Alex and Elizabeth and eight great-grandchildren; brother, Gary (Barb) Jellings of Volga, Iowa; many nieces and nephews and first cousins.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Donald.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 4-7 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Friday.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am on Friday, September 17, 2021 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa with Pastor Rusty Phillips as the Officiant.
Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery, West Union, Iowa with Military Rites.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service is helping the family with the arrangements.