Duanne Thiel

DUANNE OTT THIEL

Dyersville

Duanne Ruen Ott Thiel, 65, of Hiawatha, formerly of Dyersville, passed away Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, at Hiawatha Care Center surrounded by her children.

A visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave. SW, Dyersville, where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Jeffery Dole will officiate.

Duanne Lynn Ruen was born to Carlton and Beverly (Bruening) Ruen on Sept. 13, 1951. She attended St. Benedict's Grade School in Decorah and St. Francis DeSales High School in Ossian. Duanne graduated with honors in French in 1973 from St. Teresa's College in Winona, Minn., including a year of study abroad at the Alliance Françoise in Paris. She married Leroy Ott on Dec. 29, 1973, at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Decorah. In 1978, they opened Leroy's Pizza & Restaurant in Dyersville, where both Leroy and Duanne, along with their three children, worked and created lifelong memories together. They were mentors to their employees and those in the community. After Leroy's passing in 1999, Duanne independently owned and managed the business until 2004. On Nov. 9, 2002, Duanne and John Thiel were married at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville. They enjoyed living in Dyersville and traveling until Duanne moved into assisted living in 2012.

Dude was a spectacular grandmother, and her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. She loved to take them to the zoo, the Mississippi River Museum, and to read special books with them. She enjoyed traveling the world, especially to Virginia Beach to spend time with family. Duanne relished teaching water aerobics and Pilates, loved golfing (scoring two holes-in-one!) and spent many delightful hours at the card table playing bridge and other games. Duanne was truly an amazing mother, wonderful friend and role model.

At the age of 53, Duanne began her battle with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease. She promised to be the best Alzheimer's patient ever, and she absolutely was. Even though Alzheimer's took her ability to talk, she never lost her ability to communicate with her vibrant eyes and heartwarming smile. Duanne's family near and far rallied around her, becoming strong advocates for Alzheimer's awareness and support.

Her family would like to extend their sincere gratitude for all who have supported the Alzheimer's Association in hopes of finding a cure.

Duanne is survived by her husband, John; and her loving children: Michael Lee Ott and fiancee, Anne, with sons, Quincy and Ryan; Amanda Ott Pins and husband, Jared, with daughters, Avery, Adalyn and Juliana; and Jessica Ott Novotny and husband, Daniel, with daughters, Sophia, Olivia and baby girl Novotny No. 3. She also is survived by her father.

She is missed by her siblings, David Ruen and wife, Susan, of Mason City, along with their children, Cameron, Brandon, Aaron, Devon (Matt) and Ellison; Kevin Ruen of Brainerd, Minn., with his children, Rick, Erica and Michael; Karla Koenig of Waunakee, Wis., along with her children, Kelly II (Abbey) and Karin; and Lea Daniels and husband Douglas of Virginia Beach, Va., and their son, Marshall. Also surviving are brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Tootie and Bill Otis of Rochester, Minn., and their children, Jill, Jennie and Matt; JoAnn Ott of Ossian, and daughters, Sheila and Michelle; Myron Ott of Ossian, and daughters, Chris, Caroline and Debbie; and Leon and Lynne Ott of Webster City, with their children, Angie, Bryan and Jason. She also will be missed by her dear aunts, Loma Carlson of Decorah, Elaine Johnson of Akron, Ohio, and Katherine Roach of St. Paul, Minn.

Duanne was preceded in death by her first husband, Leroy; as well as by her mother, Beverly; her stepfather, Donald White; her brother-in-law, Kel Koenig; brother-in-law, Darrell Ott; and sister-in-law, Mamie Ott White.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern Central Iowa. Checks may be mailed to Alzheimer's Association, c/o Duanne Ott Memorial, 317 Seventh Ave. SE, Suite 402, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.

Duanne and her family will be forever grateful to the Hiawatha Care Center staff for their kindness, compassion and the way they touched our lives in such a special way.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.