Duana Jane Mann

Duana Jane Mann, 97, of La Porte, Indiana, passed away Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, after a brief illness.

She was born Nov. 1, 1926, in La Porte, Indiana, the daughter of Francis Willard and Florence (Bradley) Edgerton.

A lifelong resident of the area, Duana attended Christ Church of Michigan City and was a former longtime member and secretary of the First Christian Church, La Porte. On Nov. 1, 1946, in South Bend, Indiana, Duana married Wilford L. Mann, who preceded her in death March 1, 1995. Together, they owned and operated The Tree Mann, with Duana acting as secretary-treasurer until her retirement in 2010.

She enjoyed bowling for 60 years, and was on the Sextet plus 2 league team. Duana was a Cub Scout den mother for all of her sons and was involved with Girl Scouts with her daughter.

An avid knitter, Duana would make an afghan blanket to celebrate the marriage of all of her children and grandchildren. She had almost completed the afghan she was working on for her first great-grandchild's marriage this summer. She knitted baby blankets for all of her grand and great-grand-babies and any friends who requested one. Duana made and donated at least 200 caps to the Riley Children's Hospital and mittens to the Salvation Army every year.

She was a charter member of the Pine Lake Grange and a member of both the La Porte and Michigan City Senior Centers, where she loved playing pinochle and euchre three days a week. She found great joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be missed by all who knew her.

Duana is survived by her three sons, David (Jane) Mann of Wabash, Indiana, Dennis (Beth) Mann of La Porte, Indiana, and Daryl (Melanie) Mann of Chattanooga, Tennessee; daughter, Darla (Mike) Belzowski of La Porte, Indiana; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, and her 18-year-old cat, Chloe.

Along with her husband of 48 years, Duana was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Francis Edgerton; sisters, Ruth Bays and Wanda Dibble; and great-grandchild, Ellie Kate Mann.

Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Ave., La Porte, Indiana, where the family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (CST) with a funeral service at noon. Interment will follow at the Pine Lake Cemetery, La Porte, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made in Duana's honor to Christ Church of Michigan City, PO Box 2089, Michigan City, IN, 46361, or the La Porte Senior Center in care of Haverstock Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.haverstock funeralhome.com.