Duane L. Gemaehlich

Duane L. Gemaehlich, 89, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at Zion Lutheran Church Church, Hiawatha, with the Rev. Dean Rothchild officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial with military rites will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Born Feb. 19, 1933 in Alma, Neb., son of Gerhardt and Irma Gemaehlich. His family moved to St. Ansgar in 1941, where he graduated from high school in 1951. Duane served two years in the U.S. Army and then worked as a carpenter and construction most of his life. He died after a short illness on Dec. 10, 2022. Duane enjoyed roller skating where he met his wife, Yvonne. Duane had many other hobbies he enjoyed such as: fishing, travel, woodworking for projects for his church, dancing, and playing cards with family and friends. He will be remembered most for teaching his grandchildren how to dance and play many card games. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Margaret Cowell and Janet Mueller; his brother, Leon; and his daughter, Karen Wild. Duane is survived by his wife, Yvonne, of 48 years; and six children, Deborah Sweeney, Signe Elliott, and Nadine Pettit, Richard M. Reisner (Amy), Michelle Beaird (Terry) and David Reisner (Amy). He was also blessed with 17 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be given in his name to Zion Lutheran Church, 201 First Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233; or His Hands Free Clinic, 1245 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.