Arnold, Duane 'D.J.'

Duane “D.J.” Arnold, 38, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Father Neil Manternach will officiate. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Cedar Memorial Park Memorial Home. Interment: Mount Calvary Cemetery.

He leaves behind his beloved family: wife, Kathy; daughter, Hannah; son, Ryan; mother, Colleen Arnold of Marion; brothers, Stephen (Charlotte) Arnold of New York City, N.Y., and Kevin Arnold of Cedar Rapids; sisters, Brigid (Tim) Christianson of Sheffield and Abby (Dan) Nelson of Watertown, N.Y.; mother-in-law, Bernadette Ryan of Ryan; in-laws, Julie (Art) Heitland of Postville, Michael (Carol) Ryan of Ryan, John (Sandy) Ryan of Ryan, Anita (Joe) Sperfslage of Prairieburg, Monica (Dennis) Price of Coggon, Janet (John) Hines of Decorah and David (Jenny) Ryan of Robins; and many other dear family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Duane Arnold Jr.; and grandparents, Duane and Henrietta Arnold and Joseph and Imelda Geraghty.

D.J. was born Aug. 4, 1973, in Cedar Rapids, to Duane and Colleen Arnold. He met his wife, Kathy, while attending Mount Mercy College; they were united in holy matrimony Sept. 20, 1997. Two beautiful children were born to this union, Hannah Colleen and Ryan Joseph.

D.J. graduated from Regis High School in 1992. While in high school, he earned the Eagle Scout award. He remained committed to scouting throughout his life as a scoutmaster with Troop 3, pack leader with Pack 27, an executive board member, Pack Committee chair, and unit commissioner for Hawkeye Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. D.J. also attended YMCA Camp Wapsie as a youth and continued through college as a camp counselor. He attended Mount Mercy College and Kirkwood Community College. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Mercy in 2007.

In addition to scouting and Camp Wapsie, D.J. was also heavily involved with the Linn County Democrats, most recently as treasurer. D.J. was also an active member of St. Pius X Catholic Church. D.J.'s heart and passion for service is one of the many legacies he will leave behind.

D.J. was employed by MCI and McLeod, and later owned and operated Ryan Mini Mart in Ryan, Iowa. He also worked at Lithia and later for the College Community school district as a bus driver, and Whelan Security.

D.J. had many interests, including bowling, reading, following NASCAR, the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Cubs, and listening to music, but will be most remembered for the heart he had for his family, friends, and his community.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Hawkeye Area Council Boy Scouts of America or YMCA Camp Wapsie.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to D.J.'s family on the webpage, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published March 1, 2012 in The Gazette