Duane Kiner Jr.

A come and go gathering to celebrate the life of Duane Alvin Kiner, Jr., will be held Saturday, August 6, 2022 from noon-6 pm at the home of Steve and Penny Weaver (1673 310th Ave., Spirit Lake).

Duane Alvin Kiner, Jr., the son of Duane Alvin, Sr. and Opal Anita (Lewis) Kiner, was born July 21, 1936 in Green County. He was raised and educated in Graettinger, Iowa.

On August 11, 1955, Duane was married to Phyllis Ann Rierson at Lost Island Lutheran Church in Ruthven, Iowa. Duane and Phyllis moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa in 1962 and raised seven children together. He worked for Berkley & Co. for thirty-five years, attended Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake and was a member of the Black Nights Auto Club. He also was a part of the Berkley Bowling League for many years.

After Phyllis’ passing, he married Phyllis Joanne Thurman on May 29, 2010 on the family farm. And with this reunion came an extended family of 3 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

For those who knew him, knows he had many, many projects in the works as he never had idle hands, unless good friends and family stopped by for a good cup of coffee and good conversation. Nothing meant more to him than family and friends. He never met a stranger. His gift of gab suited him well as he traveled to so many places on his motorcycle and later in life, his trike. He loved sight seeing and meeting new people along the way. Duane fixed his camper to be able to take his motorcycle or trike with them on their trips. During their 12 years of marriage, they enjoyed taking the camper and trike to visit family and friends.

Duane was willing to give a hand to anyone who needed it. Being a jack of all trades came in handy for all that called on him for help. He loved telling one of his many jokes to give everyone a good laugh.

We learned many things growing up with him…we learned to get along, because family is everything, to do a good job, to always lend a hand to those in need and most importantly, know the difference between a monkey wrench and a crescent wrench.

Duane passed away July 20, 2022 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at 85 years and 364 days.

Duane is survived by his wife of twelve years, Phyllis Joann Thurman; children, Ruth Gerdes, Becky (Ken) Groves, Bonnie (fiancé, Jim) Kiner, Dale Kiner, Patty (Shane) Galvin and Penny (Steve) Weaver; grandchildren, Shannon (Katie), Sarah, Jason (Veronica), Jimmy (Karie), RJ (friend, Brianna), Jennifer (Ryan), Justin, Daniel (Brandi), Ben (friend, Sarah), Brady, Kyle (friend, Theresa), William (friend, Maggie), Samantha, Lizzy (My), Misty (Addum), Matthew (Amanda), Jeremy (Mallory), Christina (friend, Jacob) and J.D.; great-grandchildren, Aaron, Adelynn, Aria, Ashley, Braxton, Caleb, Dane, Daniel, Dean, Ella, Gary, Hailey, Hayden, Jaden, Jayce, Kiley, Lakota, Lela, Lindsay, Mariah, Marissa, Mia, Millie, MyLee, Opal, Paisly, RaeAnn, Rayna, Raven, Samuel, Waylen and Weston; sister, Judy Kiner; sister-in-law, Mary Kiner; step-children, Brenda (Lee) Bendixon, Julie Louderback and Terry (Nora) Thurman; step-grandchildren, Kristi (Rick), Jeremy (Kristina), Jessica (SuAnn), Hannah and Dalton (fiancé, Caitlin); step-great-grandchildren, Brittany, Elijah, Ali, Alayna, Owen, Ethan, Jacob, Olivia and Chole; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Duane and Opal Kiner (Sr.); parents-in-laws, Halver and Anna Rierson; first wife, Phyllis Ann (Rierson); sister, Karen Prather; brother, Ron Kiner; daughter, Ivy Lynn Serck; grandsons, Keith Vancura and Joshua Schafer; sons-in-law, Gery Vancura and Raymond Gerdes; step-son-in-law, Robert Louderback.