Duane Harlan Gingerich, 91, of Kalona, died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at Lone Tree Health Care Center, Lone Tree, Iowa. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Kalona United Methodist Church. The service will be available via Livestream on the Beatty Peterseim Facebook and YouTube pages. Burial will follow at the Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona. The family will greet friends from 3-6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for the Kalona United Methodist Church or the Lone Tree Health Care Center.
Duane was born Oct. 10, 1932, to Alva J and Mildred (Schneider) Gingerich. He grew up in the Kalona area, attending Evergreen School through 8th grade, and then attended and graduated from Kalona High School in 1951. Memories of high school were football and state basketball at the Field House in Iowa City.
At Kalona High, Duane and Marilyn Kathleen Small were high school sweethearts. They were united in marriage Dec. 7, 1952, at the Kalona Methodist Church.
Duane served in 1-W Service at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Their oldest son, Ronald, was born while he served. After 1-W Service Duane and Marilyn moved back to the Kalona area, where Duane farmed on the Schneider family farm. Their other three children, Lowell, Kevin, and Evelyn were born there.
Duane farmed and also worked with his father, Alva, and his brother Alva Jr. plastering homes and businesses. Duane’s expertise was finishing ceilings with borders and swirls.
In 1991 Duane and Marilyn moved to the Small farm, where they lived through their retirement.
Duane was a man with big strong hands and a gentle heart. He loved getting together with family. Duane was a member of the Kalona United Methodist church. He served as head usher, and as a MYF sponsor. A mission trip to Minnesota, and supporting the Shalom Singers were some of his highlights.
Duane enjoyed puzzles, visiting with his brother and his sisters-in-law. He also spent much-loved time caring for the love of his life, Marilyn.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of almost 60 years: Marilyn; his sons: Ronald and Lowell; and great-grandsons: Lowell Gingerich, Elijah Poll, and Ezra Gingerich; and his brother: Alva and his wife Ruby Gingerich.
Duane is survived by Ron’s wife: Darlene; Lowell’s wife: Delores; son: Kevin and his wife Susan; and his daughter: Evelyn and her husband Vernon Smith; 13 grandchildren: Torrey (Jody) Gingerich, Tyrell (Amanda) Gingerich, Tristan (Jacque) Gingerich, Jeremiah (Katie) Gingerich, Lynnette (Matt) Poll, Zachary (Tricia) Gingerich, Victor (Megan) Gingerich, Harlan (Kayla) Gingerich, Aaron (Ronna) Gingerich, Catherine (Dylan) Armstrong, Philip (Amy) Gingerich, Christopher (Megan) Gingerich, and Sarah (Jacob) Sandholm; 37 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Linda (Roger) Sprague and Miriam (Larry) Plecker; and many nieces and nephews.
