MABB, Duane Charles

MABB, INGEBRETSON, SHONEMANN, SERSLAND, SUITER, TRAETOW, THEDE, LIGHTBODY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/22/2016 at 05:56:39

Obituary - Duane Charles Mabb
April 06, 1926 ~ December 05, 2015

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Duane Mabb, 89, died Saturday, December 5, 2015, at Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Richland Lutheran Church, Thornton, with the Rev. Robert Harting officiating. Burial will be at Richland Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Retz Funeral Home in Thornton.

Duane Mabb was born April 6, 1926, the son of Dale and Clara (Ingebretson) Mabb in Thornton, Iowa. He attended school in Thornton, graduating in 1943. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp and served until the end of WW II. Duane then enrolled at the University of Iowa, graduating with a degree in business in 1949, a loyal Hawkeye forever.

Duane returned to Thornton, to work and later own and operate the family grocery store. On June 19, 1949 he married the love of his life, Shirley Shonemann, at Richland Lutheran Church in Thornton, where they made their home.

Duane dedicated his life to serving his family, church and the Thornton community. He served for nearly 50 years as a director of the First State Bank of Thornton, member and officer in the Thornton Lion’s Club, instrumental in the building and operation of Pleasant Valley Golf Course, local American Legion and numerous other civic organizations and events. He was most honored to have served on many committees, boards and offices at Richland Lutheran Church.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed golfing with friends, fishing, and traveling. After his retirement in 1988, he and Shirley spent winters in Bonita Springs, FL enjoying time at the beach and meeting new friends from across the country. After Shirley’s passing away in 1997 Duane spent the winter months in Dade City, FL.

Duane especially enjoyed the annual family fishing trips to Lake Vermilion, MN. Grandpa Duane out fished everyone on those trip and enjoyed the end of the day time on the deck joking and laughing with his grandchildren. Duane attended many of the sporting events his four grandchildren participated in over the years, logging many miles attending games in either Denver, IA or in Mason City, IA. Tailgating and attending Iowa football games remained a high priority for Duane. The tailgating was especially important as he loved to visit with fellow Hawkeye fans and joking with his grandchildren about the game. Another of Duane’s many great memories for he as well as his loved ones was his trip to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. as part of an Honor Flight from Mason City in September of 2009.

He loved spending time with his family and always hosted a special Memorial Day family picnic and Christmas dinner where his homemade pies were the featured item. Faith and family were very important to him and he instilled that value in his children and grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Jane Sersland and her husband Keith of Mason City, IA and Suzanne Ruiter and her husband Randy, of Denver, IA. Four grandchildren, Thomas Sersland and his wife Barb of Johnston, IA, Evan Sersland of West Des Moines, IA, Megan Traetow and her husband Brock of Waukee, IA and Bethany Thede and husband Chris of Cedar Falls, IA. Also four great-grandchildren, Thomas Kaleb Sersland, Drake and Finley Traetow and Emersyn Thede. He is also survived by his sister-in-laws Pauline Shoneman and her husband Marion, Judith Lightbody and her husband Larry all of Thornton and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Memorials may be directed to Richland Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa in his memory.

Retz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2016