Duane Edwin Mann was born on Feb. 8, 1931, in the old town of Moorhead, to his parents, Charles Dean Mann and Anna Leora (Perrin) Mann. Duane attended grade school in Pisgah and later a country school several miles east of town. He graduated from Pisgah High School in 1949, while living on the family’s 80 acre farm 4-5 miles northwest of Pisgah. After high school, Duane worked at the grocery store in town for a short stint and then was hired on as a hired-hand on a farm near Lawton (east of Sioux City). In September 1950, Duane joined the Navy and attended basic training at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Ill. After bootcamp, Duane was ordered to report to the Naval Air Station in Alameda, Calif., where he was assigned duties as a supply clerk, handling requests for airplane parts. After nearly two years, he received orders for an overseas assignment in Japan. Duane was stationed at the Haneda International Airport near Tokyo, Japan, which was also the U.S. 1503 Air Transport Wing, from August, 1953 to June, 1954.After his discharge from the Navy in July, 1954, Duane returned to the 80 acre farm northwest of Pisgah. He soon found a job with a highway construction company and worked on roads in Iowa and Nebraska. During a job in Ottumwa, Duane met Beverly June Hosette. During their courtship, Duane enrolled in college at Iowa State College studying agriculture education to become a Vocational Agriculture teacher. Duane and Beverly were married on Nov. 27, 1955, in Ottumwa and soon returned to Ames, as Duane was still pursuing his college degree and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in February, 1959. From this union was born four children; Lori Lyn, Brian Duane, Jon Dean and Julie Ann. Duane and Beverly divorced in Sept. 1972. On March 3, 1973, in Mondamin, Duane married Janice Ann Johnson (of Turin) while living on a small acreage south of Minburn. They later moved to Woodbine in June, 1975. From this union was born two children; Aaron Michael and Janel Renee.
Duane worked in the YMCA for five years and for the Ag Chemical Industry (FMC). In 1973, he decided to go into business for himself, forming a company named R&D Orchard Supply later becoming Mann Chemical and Orchard Supply. This business kept Duane busy writing spray guides for orchard growers. Soon after moving to Woodbine, Duane and Janice started up two other business. They formed the first commercial lawn service and established a fruit & vegetable roadside market, along with a wholesale melon business for grocery stores. While living in Woodbine, Duane became a charter member of the Woodbine Betterment Committee and served on the Electrical Board of Trustees for over 20 years. Duane and Janice funded the infrastructure for development of the Brookview Housing site. Along with this, they also developed the Riverside Business sites along Hwy 30. Duane and Janice played an integral role in establishing the annual Applefest festival in Woodbine.
Duane passed away peacefully in his home in Woodbine on Nov. 15, 2023, at the age of 92 years, nine months and seven days.
Duane provided a great and secure home for his family throughout his life. He instilled in his children the importance of education and a strong set of values and showed them (through example) how to be honest, kind, responsible, forgiving and most importantly, how to love. Duane was also a devout Christian and believed strongly in the power of faith and prayer.
Duane enjoyed working on countless woodworking projects in his wood shop. He was an avid reader, particularly of history of the frontier, mountain men and his family ancestry. Duane had an uncanny memory and was able to recall many events of his early childhood in great detail. His strong memory has served his family well in preserving family history and passing down family stories…..Duane was a fantastic storyteller! Duane loved and enjoyed spending time with his family most of all.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice; first wife, Beverly; sisters, Nola Chapman, Norma Hardt and Viola Plath; brothers, Loren, Jerry, and Ronald Mann; brothers-in-law, Leo Chapman, Lee Hardt and Bernard Plath; sister-in-law, Doris Mann; nephews, Larry Plath and Jeff Weldon; niece, Rhonda Boyd. Duane is survived by his children, Lori (Ricky) Hingtgen, Brian (Laura) Mann, Jon (Susan) Mann, Julie Mann, Aaron (Kristi) Mann and Janel (Rob) Cogdill; 18 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley (Terry) Weldon; sisters-in-law, Gwen Mann and Dianne Mann; and many relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Duane’s life will begin a noon on Feb. 3rd with a lunch at the Woodbine Golf Course followed by a memorial service. The Woodbine Weiss American Legion Post #143 will provide graveside rites at the Woodbine Cemetery following the services.
Fouts Funeral home of Woodbine is assisting the family with the arrangements.
