Duane R. Smith, age 91, of Albert City, Iowa, died Monday, April 4, 2016 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Albert City. Burial will follow in the Laurens Cemetery in Laurens, Iowa. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements.

Duane Roscoe Smith, the second child of Roscoe and Fern (Johnson) Smith was born near Laurens, Iowa, on March 30, 1925. His childhood years were spent on farms around the Laurens, Marathon, and Webb areas where he received his education, graduating from the Garfield-Webb High School in 1943.

Duane married Ardis Lavohn Ryon on September 18, 1945, at Dakota City, Nebraska. They farmed together near Laurens until 1967 when the family moved to their farm near Albert City that they had purchased in 1961.

Farming was his life. He loved the farm, its nature and challenges. He was a master mechanic and builder. He would often engineer projects whether building something with just a few boards or tearing apart and rebuilding a combine, tractor, or other piece of machinery. He took great pride in knowing the mechanics of keeping his farm machinery in repair. He also raised cattle, hogs, and sheep for many years.

Duane had a deep love of country music and dancing. He and Lavohn enjoyed dancing for many years from square dancing to ballroom dancing to the 2-step to polkas, he loved them all and for a couple of years they also gave dance lessons in and around the area.

He enjoyed visiting with friends and family and was a master storyteller. He loved sharing his knowledge of history and reminiscing about the earlier years in farming with others.

For many years, Duane was an active member of the Albert City Threshermen Association where he helped oversee the threshing. He also served as treasurer of the Buena Vista County Cattlemen’s Association for several years. With declining health, he entered the Pleasant View Home in Albert City in 2008.

He leaves behind his wife of 70 years, Lavohn, of Albert City, his sons: Don Smith of New Prague, Minnesota, Dennis (Donna) Smith of Rembrandt, Iowa, Randy (Kellie) Smith of Marathon, Iowa, his daughter: Darlys Blomberg of Springfield, Virginia, 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, his sister: Violet Harris of Marion, Iowa, sister-in-law: Dorothy Smith of Laurens, Iowa, other extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister: Norma Reardon, his brothers: Meryl (Colleen) Smith and Alan Smith, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Gene and Marjorie Jonas, two grandsons: Kyle and Kevin Blomberg.

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