Duane G. Polk

POLK, ROSS, LADEBURG, TAYLOR, SMITH, KELLY

Posted By: dbeier (email)
Date: 1/11/2011 at 14:18:16

Duane Gibson Polk, 76, of Oelwein, Iowa passed away late Wednesday evening at Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters of a sudden illness. He had been a resident at Oelwein Healthcare Center since December 18, 2009.

Duane was born in Independence, Iowa on August 3, 1934, the son of Gerald and Helen (Ross) Polk.

He graduated from the Stanley High School in 1952. On June 5, 1955 he was united in marriage to Janet Ladeburg at Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein. One daughter was born to this union, Penny Jaye (Polk) Taylor. There is also a grandson, Ian Smith of Denver, Colorado, granddaughter, Joslynne Taylor, Oelwein and a great grandson Drake Smith of Denver, Colorado.

He served in the U. S. Army as a medic from 1957 to 1959. He worked for Rath Packing and John Deere both. In 1971 they moved to Grand Junction, Colorado where he owned and operated a Laundromat and dry cleaning business. He retired in 2005 and moved back to Oelwein. Duane loved roses, music, wood working and old cars, but most of all he loved his family. They will miss him very much.

Duane is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janet of Oelwein, a daughter, Penny Taylor of Oelwein, two grandchildren, Ian and Joslynne, a great grandson Drake, a brother, Weldon (Phyllis) Polk of Wonewoc, Wisconsin, a sister Geraldine (Gordon) Kelly of Maynard, Iowa, sister-in-law, Mary Polk of West Union, Iowa, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Art and Carol Ladeburg of Oelwein and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Helen, a brother, Eldon Polk, a son-in-law, Kevin Taylor a niece, Glenda Kelly and a great nephew, Alexander Polk.

Visitation: 4-7 PM Sunday, January 2, 2010 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein.

Service: 11 AM Monday, January 3, 2010 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein.