Duane A. Gruhn

Duane August Gruhn, 88, of Lanark, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on February 7, 2026, after a short illness. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Law-Jones Funeral Home Eastland in Lanark, with visitation prior to the service from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in the Shannon Brethren Cemetery.

Duane was born September 9, 1937, in Clinton, Iowa, at Mercy Hospital at 4:45 a.m., the son of John Henry and Helen Irene (Lindstrom) Gruhn. During World War II, his family moved from Iowa to Vancouver, Washington, where they lived from late 1942 until 1953 as his father fulfilled his draft duty. After a summer spent visiting relatives and experiencing farm life in Shannon, Illinois, Duane’s heart was set on agriculture. He encouraged his parents to return to the Midwest so they could pursue farming, and the family settled back in Shannon, where Duane finished high school.

Duane graduated from Shannon High School with the class of 1955. He met his sweetheart, Myrna Jane Weigle, and the two were married on November 2, 1956, at the Bethel Church in Shannon. Together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and the land. After renting several farms in the area, they settled down in 1975 and created Ace High Ranch—named after their son’s success winning the final steer show at the Chicago International Livestock Exposition.

Duane took deep pride in farming and in the traditions of rural life. He and Myrna were active 4-H leaders who loved showing cattle, and in later years they enjoyed traveling to watch their grandson Tyler show cattle. Duane also enjoyed bowling and card nights with friends, ballroom and polka dancing, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs. He was a member of the Carroll County Farm Bureau and the Loyal Order of Moose.

Those who knew Duane knew a man of strong conviction—steady, determined, and quietly devoted to providing for his family’s future. He wasn’t a man of many words, but his actions spoke clearly. Where words sometimes failed, his arms never did. His embrace was “like medicine without a prescription,” a simple strength that reassured the people he loved.

Duane is survived by his children, Gregory (Annette) Gruhn of Lanark and Cyndi (Rick) Fisher of Midland, Texas; grandson Tyler (Madison) Gruhn; step-grandchildren Beau (Misti) Fisher and Tara (Gary) Miller; a brother-in-law, Robert Noble of Rockford; and two sisters-in-law, Delores Gruhn of Mesa, Arizona, and Janet Gruhn of Lanark. He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrna; an infant son; his parents; and his siblings, Janice, Dick, and Marvin.

Duane will be remembered for his perseverance, his work ethic, and his love of the land—and most of all, for the steady way he loved his family.

The family extends special thanks to neighbors Wilma and Denny Lotz for their care and kindness, and to all who have offered support during this time.