Allan Duus

Allan Duus, 89, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, passed away July 26 at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley with family by his side. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, August 4 at 11:00 at Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Allan Bovbjerg Duus was born on July 20, 1934, in Tyler, Minnesota. Allan was the oldest of four children born to Hjarne and Margaret (Bovbjerg) Duus. Allan attended Tyler High School, graduating in 1952. Allan spent his younger years growing up on the family farm, where he had many fond mischievous adventures before enlisting in the US Army in 1955. Allan was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, love of his life, and best friend Lynda Anderson on May 27, 1956. During his service to his country, the couple made their first home in Columbus, Georgia, later moved to Peoria, Illinois. While in Peoria, Allan enrolled in Bradley University and later received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, where he graduated as a Federation of Bradley Scholar; the highest honor Bradley University could bestow upon a student. Allan & Lynda started a family in 1957, with the birth of their four beautiful daughters, whom he adored. In 1961, Allan was offered a position as Director of Engineering & Product Development at Citation Homes in Spirit Lake. Allan was a faithful, dedicated, & loyal employee for 30+ years until his retirement. Allan was dedicated to his work, family, and friends. His wife was his everything for 67 years. You rarely found them apart. During Allan’s life, he was loving, caring and made his family his priority. He also served many years on the Grace Lutheran Church Council, as well as the Spirit Lake Protection Board. Allan was known for his sense of humor, and it was not uncommon that he would start his day with a joke. Allan often showed his goofy side while creating scavenger hunts, playing Wild Bill Hitchcock, and playing tickle monster with the grandkids and great grandkids. Allan made sure his family experienced the outdoors that he loved, by taking them camping to every state in the U.S. While on those camping trips, you would find him riding stick horses, making forts among the bushes and trees, and stopping and exploring every scenic outlook and tourist attraction along the way. Allan would always bring home some interesting piece of wood that he would find while exploring a remote trail, which typically took the entire family to haul back down the trail. Allan was creative, artistic, and loved to make things out of these treasures he found. His woodworking and carvings were admired by many and those who knew him were blessed to receive a carved cat or deer. Allan built his “dream” home and life on the Big Spirit Lake and called the lake his “Heaven on earth.” Allan passed away on July 26, 2023, from complications of Alzheimer’s and Covid. Through Alzheimer’s, his mind may have left him, but his spirit lived on until the end. Left to cherish Allan’s memory are his loving wife Lynda of Spirit Lake; Daughters Terry Wiese of Lake Park; Rebecca (Paul) Hardenberger of Hutchison, KS; Robin (Mike) Nielsen of Springfield, NE; and Cara (Jerry) Beers of Brookings, SD; Grandchildren Justin, Amanda, Jacob, Julia, Kyle Tricia, Jimmy, Shelby, Haley, and Parker; 5 great granddaughters; Brother Doug (Judy) Duus of Spirit Lake along with many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Gloria Grenz, brother Dave Duus and son-in-law Wayne Wiese.

Allan Duus

July 20, 1934 - July 26, 2023