EDWARD DUITSMAN

Edward Duitsman, a resident of Barstow for 65 years, passed away June 5, 2011. He was born May 21, 1920 in Adams, Neb. Ed graduated from high school in Beatrice, Nebraska in 1938. He served in the South Pacific, eight years, 1938-1946, in the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer. Edward was the manager and corporate vice president of First Federal Savings and Loan for 25 years. He also worked 14 years with Depue and Duitsman Real Estate. He served as president of the Optimist Club, Chamber of Commerce and Concordia Lutheran Church. He was the first president of Barstow's Board of Realtors. He was a loving, generous father, husband, uncle and grandpa. Ed was well prepared to meet his Lord after a blessed and good life. He claimed that his success in life was due to the Lord and his wonderful wife, Betty. Ed enjoyed a reputation as a thrifty man, but below the surface he was a giving person who sponsored students from Africa and the United States. He gave generously to support the Lutheran Church and local schools. He and his father-in-law Earl Depue donated the land where the Lenwood school and the Lenwood fire department were built. He is survived by his wife, Betty of Barstow; sons, John Duitsman of Hinkley, Alan Duitsman of Dale, Texas, and Thomas Duitsman of Barstow; 12 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son, Phillip. Services will be at 11 a.m., on Monday, June 13, 2011, at Mead Mortuary, 36930 Irwin Road.