Duane KRITCHMAN

KRITCHMAN, PATTERSON, HOLLEY, BLAKE, LEWIS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/13/2013 at 11:51:21

May 10, 1924 --- May 3, 2010

Duane Kritchman, 85, died Monday, May 3, 2010 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 11:00 am with burial at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

Duane was born on May 10, 1924 in La Crosse, WI to John and Elfrieda Kritchman. He grew up on a farm near Stewartville and Spring Valley, MN. He graduated from Onalaska High School, Onalaska, WI in 1942 and attended the University of Wisconsin. He established the Weather-Whipper Awning Company in Des Moines as manager-owner and had a successful business for 39 years prior to retirement in 1998. Having served in the U.S. Air Force, Duane was a veteran of WWII. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He initiated the Central Iowa Wing of the 8th Air Force Historical Society Iowa Chapter and is a member of Faith Lutheran Church. Survivors include his wife, Arlene; daughter, Laura (Craig) Patterson; son, John (Lisa) Kritchman; three grandchildren, Ryan and Dylan Patterson, and Allison Kritchman; sister, Maria Holley of La Crosse, WI; sister-in-law, Dolores (Wayland) Blake of Forest City, IA and five nieces. Duane was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice, 5820 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA 50131 or Faith Lutheran Church, 10395 University Avenue, Clive, IA 50325.

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[married Arlene Lewis in 1963 in Eagle Grove, Wright County, Iowa]