Duane Albertsen

DYSART-Duane Paul Albertsen, 93, of Dysart, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024 at the Lutheran Living Communities in Vinton under the care of Hospice Compassus. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart with Pastor Mark Urlaub officiating. Interment will follow at Keystone Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, July 22, 2024 from 5-7 PM at Zion Lutheran Church.

Duane was born on December 9, 1930 on the family farm north of Keystone, Iowa, the son of Ewald and Marvel (Lamprecht) Albertsen. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone.

Duane graduated as Valedictorian from Keystone High School in 1949. He attended DeVry Institute in Chicago, IL, studying Electronics. During his studies, he was drafted for the Korean War and served his country in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. After service, he started farming with his father and grandfather. He also helped his father with his electrical business.

On November 27, 1955, he was united in marriage to Eleanor Gimm at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone. They made their home five miles south of Dysart on Highway 21 until they moved to town in 1968 where he started his own business, Duane Albertsen Electric. He was an accomplished electrician and contractor.

Duane was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart, where he served on the council. He served on the Dysart Planning and Zoning Commission for several years, and was a member of the American Legion. One of his greatest joys was being able to go on the Honor Flight in 2013.

Duane enjoyed gardening, playing cards, playing board games with his grandchildren and listening to AM 600 radio. At the Vinton Lutheran Home, he enjoyed playing BINGO, reading, listening to music and watching the birds and squirrels. Duane was firm in his faith and enjoyed helping people. He will be remembered for his quiet demeanor and his kindness.

Survivors include his children, Cindy (Mark) Tomlinson of Traer, Lori (Todd) Kruse of Tama, Andrea (Craig) Krafka of Dysart and Mark Albertsen of Dysart; seven grandchildren, Steffanie (Kevin) Bonnstetter, Dallas (Kaitie) Tomlinson, Ashley (Nick) Harris, Amy Craig, Nicole Krafka, Marcus and Lucas Albertsen; nine great-grandchildren, Bristol and Will Tomlinson, Kade, Klay and Kal Bonnstetter, Laurel Harris with a little brother due in August, Boston Eikamp, Brynlee and Josephine Heishman; one sister, Diane Pippert of Garrison; two sisters-in-law, Kay Albertsen of Van Horne and Marie Eighmey of Denver; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Eleanor on February 18, 2016; one son, Dennis in infancy; one brother, Donald Albertsen; three brothers-in-law, David Pippert, Johnnie Gimm and Richard Eighmey; and two nephews, Craig Albertsen and Jim Eighmey.

A memorial fund will be established.

The family wishes to convey heartfelt thanks to the special care he received at the Lutheran Living Communities in Vinton, Virginia Gay Hospital and Hospice Compassus. We are so very grateful to all these caregivers.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.