Duane Lawrence Kloewer

Duane Lawrence Kloewer, 82, of Hoover, Alabama, went to his heavenly home on Monday, August 18, 2025, after a short battle with cancer.

Born on Good Friday, April 23, 1943, at the family farm in Westphalia, Iowa, Duane was the son of Frank and Cecilia Kloewer. He grew up working alongside his family on the farm, attending St. Boniface School, playing basketball, and holding several jobs that shaped his tireless work ethic.

After graduating in 1961, Duane enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving with great pride. He earned commendations for marksmanship and conduct, and his service took him to Okinawa, Quantico, and Paris, where he was assigned to the American Embassy as a Marine Security Guard. Duane treasured the friendships he made and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences of meeting dignitaries and traveling throughout Europe.

Following his honorable discharge, Duane joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., working in security and surveillance-though he always liked to joke that one of his favorite parts of that time was driving his little VW Beetle around the capital.

His career path eventually led him into sales and management, most notably with the Hoover Vacuum Company, which brought him to Birmingham, Alabama. There, he met the love of his life, Linda, and they married in 1986. They welcomed their daughter, Sarah Ann, on Valentine's Day in 1987, the role he was proudest to hold-Dad.

In 1994, the family moved to Indian Springs, where Duane transformed five acres of land into a small horse farm, building the barn and fences by hand. He and Sarah shared countless horseback adventures across the Southeast before he eventually swapped saddles for the open road, traveling more than 115,000 miles across North America on his beloved Honda Goldwing-always flying the American and Marine Corps flags.

Faith and service were central to Duane's life. At Christ Church, he served as a trustee, worked on building projects, set up chairs, and even joined a mission trip to Asia at the age of 70. His servant's heart showed in big and small ways-whether laying carpet tiles at church or volunteering at Oak Mountain Missions.

Never one to sit still, Duane launched D's Bird Nests in 2016, hand-crafting birdhouses and feeders that he sold at craft shows across Alabama. He loved meeting new people, striking up conversations, and keeping his hands busy in his workshop.

Duane was a man of simple joys and deep loyalties-cheering on Alabama Crimson Tide football and softball, tinkering in his shop, building shelves for Sarah's classroom, playing cards with Brett and Sarah, and raising a glass with friends at the Casual Pint. His stubborn determination, quick wit, and big smile left an imprint on everyone who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda Ann Kloewer; his parents; and siblings Mildred "Mickie" Blum, Irene Blum, and Richard "Dick" Kloewer. He is survived by his daughter Sarah Ann (Brett) Richardson; sisters Marlene Eggerling, Judith Peters, and Joyce (Joe) Wageman; and a large extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Christ Church Birmingham (Caldwell Mill Road) on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Visitation begins at 11 a.m., followed by the service at noon. Military honors will be rendered at 2 p.m. at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama.