Duane Billings

DUANE N. "TUFF&" BILLINGSDuane N. "Tuff&" Billings, 73, life long resident of Lewis, Iowa, following a battle with a lengthy illness, passed away Sunday, May 25 at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.Duane Nathan Billings was born the son of Cleve and Ethel (Wiechert) Billings on June 16, 1934 in Lewis, Iowa. He was raised in Lewis on the family farm and graduated with the Lewis High School Class of 1952. He married Evona Marie Breach on January 8, 1958 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. The couple raised a daughter and a son, the pride of their lives. The family had fun on several trips together and he and Evona went on two memorable cruises to Hawaii and the Caribbean.Tuff worked as a self employed earth moving contractor operating heavy equipment, for more than 35 years, until his passing. His hobbies included shopping for machinery, his love of animals, his farm work and reading machinery and farm magazines. Best of all, he enjoyed his grandchildren. He would say that his accomplishments included his two children, five grandchildren and his several good friends. His family will remember his strong work ethic and that he was a jokester and a loving husband & father.Tuff is survived by his wife Evona; his daughter Jolene Larsen and husband Rick of Lewis; his son Steve Billings and wife Susan of Wichita, Kansas; and five grandchildren; Betsy Larsen of Ames and Heath Larsen of Lewis; Chase, Regan, & Taylor Billings of Wichita; one sister Norma Price of California and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, Maurice Billings, Margaret Billings, Ruby McClure, June Regennitter, Walt Billings, Lyle Billings, Lloyd Billings, and Dale Billings.Funeral InformationHis memorial service will be held at First Assembly of God in Atlantic on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 10:00 AM. Pastor Guy Fisher will officiate.Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa is caring for Duane"s family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left at Roland"s web site www.rolandfuneralservice.comDUANE "TUFF&" BILLINGSBORNJune 16, 1934 in Lewis, IowaENTERED INTO RESTSunday, May 25, 2008At the age of73 years, 11 months and 9 daysMEMORIAL SERVICESaturday, May 31, 2008, 10:00 A.M.First Assembly of God Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGPastor Guy FisherFirst Assembly of God Atlantic, IowaMUSICAL SELECTIONS"I Can Only Imagine&""Precious Lord, Take My Hand&" by Janine Knop"If You Could See Me Now&""We Shall Behold Him&" by Janine KnopFLOWER COMMITTEEGeneva SmithBruce and Vickie RhoadsDave and Joyce Hart