Duane Meyer

Duane Harold Meyer, 81, of Castalia died Friday, June 26, 2015 at Gundersen Health Systems in La Crosse, WI surrounded by family. Funeral Services were held Friday, July 3 at Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia. Burial was at Postville Cemetery, Postville with Military Rites.
Duane was the son of Harold and Elsie (Blumhagen) Meyer. He was born August 8, 1933 on the family farm near Castalia. He was baptized in Postville September 4, 1933 by the Rev. Leroy Weihe and confirmed November 23, 1947 at Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia by Rev. LaVerne R. Meinecke. He attended the Castalia Public School for grades 1-8 and then went on to Postville High School, graduating in 1951.
Duane was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. He sang in the choir and was an active member of the Luther League attending several national conventions. Roller skating at Art's Roller Rink near Ossian was one of his favorite pastimes as a teenager. The trombone was his instrument of choice in the Postville High School concert and marching bands. He loved playing baseball and earned a letter on his high school team. He continued to enjoy watching baseball and track and cheering on the Hawkeyes.
After graduating from high school, he worked on the family farm with his father and brother until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in June of 1956. He served 21 months, 14 of which were spent in Germany. After being discharged he went back to working on the farm. There was a 13-year period when Duane never missed a single milking. He received several awards for high quality milk, including a silver cow for five years and then the coveted gold cow in a glass case for ten consecutive years of high quality milk.
After getting out of the milking business, he raised beef cows for several years. He retired in 2000. Continuing to live on the farm, he became an avid gardener even canning and freezing the abundant produce he harvested. Tulips were his favorite flowers and he maintained several beautiful beds, planting a few new colors every year.
Visits and phone calls from his nieces and nephews were always a special joy for him. He loved them all very much and enjoyed keeping up with what was happening in their lives. He spent much time in prayer for their safety and well-being.
Duane is survived by his sister, Marlys (Jerry) Hager of Castalia; a sister-in-law, Joanne Meyer of Atlantic; eight nieces and nephews: Greta (Terry) Anderson of Ankeny, Greg (Wendy) Meyer of Oskaloosa, Grant Meyer of Laramie, WY, Rebecca (Michael) Kramer of Waukon, Corinne (Gary) Lenth of Monona, Gayle (Jeff) Olson of Winfield, Gloria (Loren) Wissmann of Milford, NE and Gary (Jacque) Hager of New Vienna; 24 great-nieces and nephews; and 12 great-great-nieces and nephews.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Elsie Meyer; two brothers, Arthur Meyer and Cloy (Bonnie) Meyer; and a great-nephew, Clay Kramer.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.graufuneralhomes.com.