In Memory of Duane A. Schofield

Duane A. Schofield, age 80, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at his residence of Odebolt, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 29, 2016 at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Odebolt, Iowa. The Reverend David Lyons will officiate. Committal Services will be in the St. Peters Lutheran Cemetery of rural Sac City, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 28, 2016 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

Duane August Schofield was born on November 2, 1935, in Calhoun County, Iowa, to Frederick and Bertha (Ramthun) Schofield. Duane was baptized into his faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Rockwell City, Iowa, and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Knoke, Iowa.

Duane grew up on the family farm in Calhoun County, where he attended school at Jolley and graduated with the class of 1953.

After high school, Duane continued his education at a school of business in Omaha, Nebraska. He then enlisted into the United States Army, where he was stationed in Germany for eighteen months. He was honorably discharged on April 23, 1959.

Duane married the love of his life, Janis Lynn Kleen, on June 5, 1960, at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Rockwell City. They made their home in Lytton and were blessed with six children: Daniel, Mark, Thomas, John, Kara, and Steven.

For more than 50 years, Duane worked in the banking business. He was employed at Lytton Savings Bank for approximately 25 years. In 1980, the family moved to Odebolt, where he continued to work in banking, retiring from United Bank of Iowa in 2010. He thoroughly enjoyed his work and when asked about his favorite part of the job, he replied, “being in a position to help people out.”

Duane loved nothing more than spending time with his family. He enjoyed following the UNI Panthers men’s basketball team, as well as the Minnesota Twins. His hobbies included playing cards, gardening, going to flea markets, and antique hunting with Janis. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Odebolt, holding numerous leadership positions throughout the years.

He is survived by his loving wife of more than 55 years, Janis; children: Daniel of Cedar Falls, Mark (Jodi) of Peachtree City, Georgia, Thomas (Danell) of Cedar Falls, John (Karen) of Cedar Falls, Kara (Troy) Neville of Odebolt, and Steven (fiancée Megan Brown) of Cedar Falls; grandchildren: Tisha (James) Lindgren, Tristan (Joe) Smeins, Lorrin Schofield, Chet Schofield, Emily Schofield, Carter Schofield, Evan Schofield, Brenna Neville, Mallory Neville, and Cade Neville; three great grandchildren: Knox, Beckham, and Ava Lindgren; sisters, Marjorie Hoefing of Manson, and Lavon Weiss of Rockwell City; and extended family.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents Frederick and Bertha Schofield; brothers Louis Schofield and Donald Schofield; and sister Marie Mack.