Duane Umland

Duane Lee Umland was born August 5, 1938, to Walter and Louise (Lohmeier) Umland in Lincoln, Nebraska. Duane was a lifetime member of the Lutheran faith. He was christened on September 4, 1938, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eagle, Nebraska. He was confirmed on April 20, 1952, at Trinity Lutheran Church southeast of Walton, Nebraska. He was currently a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Logan, Iowa. Duane graduated from Eagle High School in Eagle, Nebraska in 1957. He played basketball, football and he also ran track. Duane was the proud owner of a 1959, 1962, and 1964 corvette, and he belonged to the Exterminators Car Club in Lincoln. Duane proudly served his country in the Army Reserves for six years and was honorably discharged as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1966. Duane worked for Eastern Nebraska Public Power District in Syracuse, Omaha Public Power District, First Federal of Lincoln, Scientific Games (Nebraska Lottery), Textron Turf Care (Cushman), and was currently employed at Woodhouse Family Auto. He also farmed between 1976 and 2004.

Duane married Pat Roelofsz on May 2, 1965, in Lincoln. The couple was blessed with two children, Peggy and John. Duane and his family were members of the Ashland Saddle Club. Duane and Pat also participated in the Gretna Wheeling Eights Square Dance Club. Duane moved to Magnolia, Iowa in 2005 where he and his horse, Cody, were a part of the Loess Hills and Fonda Saddle Clubs. Duane also taught country swing dance and line dancing.

Duane had a unique sense of humor and a story for every occasion. Some of his favorite sayings were:
I can't go very fast, but I sure can go like hell
Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bones
Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.

Duane died on Thursday, June 25, 2015, at the Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine, Iowa from complications from a stroke, at the age of 76 years, 10 months, and 20 days.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents and a stillborn baby sister. He is survived by his two children, Peggy and her husband John Stevens of Golden, Colorado, John Umland and his wife Deb of Alvo, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Nathan and Grace Green and Zachary and Sierra Umland; brother, Elwood Umland and his wife Arva of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; and many other relatives and friends.