Duane Kaiser

Duane Kaiser, of rural Lewis, Iowa, passed away at his home, on Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the age of 88.
Duane Elton Kaiser was born, along with a twin sister, on March 22, 1925 to Charles and Carrie (Wernick) Kaiser, in rural Lewis, at the family homestead. He went to country school and graduated from Lewis High School in 1942.
He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and trained to be a gunman for B-24's. He was discharged in 1945 when the war ended. Duane married Neva Janet Gustason on May 11, 1948 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and they celebrated 63 years of matrimony together. They lived in rural Lewis until 1950 when they moved to Anita where he farmed. In 1962 they returned to rural Lewis where they made their permanent residence. Duane and Neva joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1951 and were active members. In the couples’ younger years, they enjoyed spending the winter months in Califronia with family.
He was a beekeeper for 10 years, farmed for 14 years, and drove a propane truck for Steinbeck and Son's for several years until he retired. His hobbies included gardening, croquet, horse shoe pitching, bee keeping, and raising watermelons and sweet corn. He will be remembered for being a loving father, grandfather, and caring husband, and for growing the best and sweetest watermelon on this side of the Nishnabotna.
Duane is survived by his five children, Susan Schuler and husband, Warren (Butch), of Springdale, AK, Danny Kaiser of Lewis, Wesley Kaiser and wife, Bonnie, of Bellevue, NE, Nancy Radford and husband, Doug, of rural Griswold, and Sherry Askeland and husband, Shawn, of Griswold, IA; five grandchildren, Chris Radford and wife, Carrie, of Treynor, IA, Jamie Kral and fiance, John Heidvogel, of Bellevue, NE, Jesse Kaiser and wife, Heather, of Bellevue, NE, Ryan Askeland and wife, Sara, of Griswold, IA and Cory Askeland and wife, Ashley, of Omaha, NE; and 12 great-grandchildren. His siblings include brothers, Roy Andrew Kaiser of Redmond, WA and James L. Kaiser of Florence, MI; sisters, Corinne Eleanor Gunderson of Auburn,WA and Dorothy Eloise Johnson of Griswold, IA; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Neva; three brothers, Bernard, Edwin, and Earl; and his sister, Mildred Dory; and many aunts and uncles.