Duane Keegan

DUANE KEEGAN

Anamosa

Duane Keegan, 74, of Anamosa, formerly of Cascade, died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids surrounded by his family. He suffered from a short illness of pancreatic cancer. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at Apostolic Assembly of Anamosa with Brother George officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Cascade. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Apostolic Assembly of Anamosa and again after 9:30 a.m. Friday at the church.

Bernard Duane Keegan was born June 7, 1941, to Earl Thomas and Mary Dorothy (Heffernan) Keegan, in Anamosa, Iowa. Duane went to elementary schools in Oxford Junction, Wyoming, Anamosa and Monticello. Duane graduated from Monticello High School in 1959. Duane married Mary Ann Koob on May 28, 1960. She preceded him in death on April 16, 2005. Duane and Mary Ann had five children. Duane married Jeanne Johnson on July 23, 2006.

Duane was employed at John Deere of Dubuque from February 1965 until his retirement in January 1995. Prior to his 30 years at John Deere, Duane worked at the Conoco Station, Monti Produce, as a farm hand and Eiler's Furniture. Duane also drove truck for Burds and Koppes truck lines during summer shutdowns at Deere's. In retirement, Duane drove a school bus for the Anamosa Community Schools.

Duane always dreamed of owning his own farm and in 1993 he made that happen in Anamosa. He enjoyed raising calves, pigs and chickens. Duane loved animals and always had a dog or cat that he spoiled. Duane retired from farming when he and Jeanne married and he moved to town. Duane also loved gardening and raised vegetables and roses. As a lad, Duane was heavily involved in 4-H and won many awards for his Spotted Poland China hogs. Duane also was featured on the radio and was introduced as "the boy with the most unusual hobby," auctioneering.

Duane is survived by his wife, Jeanne; four children, Linda (Raj) Kamalnathan of Fremont, Calif., Penny (Sandy) Duncan of Cedar Rapids, Dawn (Christopher) Anderson of Muscatine and Greg (Peggy) Keegan of Dyersville; 11 grandchildren; five stepchildren, Karl (Terri Jo) Weideman of Cedar Rapids, Kurt (friend Cindy Eckel) Weideman of Perrysburg, Ohio, Kevin (Sharon) Weideman of Anamosa, Kristin Weideman of Marion and Kimberly Hunter of Marion; 10 step-grandchildren; and his cat, Angel.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ann; his son, Jeffery; his parents; two brothers, Earl Jr. and Darwin; and his companion dog, Ozzie.