Duane A. Kuhlers

Duane A. Kuhlers, 83, of Clear Lake, died Friday, April 11, 2014 at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.  A funeral service for Duane will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 18, 2014 at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave. N., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Bernie Colorado and Dr. Rev. Rhoda Preston officiating.  Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, where full military honors will be provided by the Clear Lake VFW Post 4868.  A visitation will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17, 2014 at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel,

 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday.  Should friends desire, memorials may be left to the family in Duane’s name.

Duane A. Kuhlers, son of the late Albert and Minnie (Van Osten) Kuhlers, was born Dec. 30, 1930 in Swaledale, Iowa.  He attended school in Swaledale and graduated with the Class of 1949.  Following his education, Duane was drafted in the United States Army on Oct. 4, 1951, serving time in Germany during the Korean Conflict with the 188th Infantry Regiment before being honorably discharged on Sept. 16, 1953.  

On Feb. 5, 1954, Duane was united in marriage to Darlene Vanderhoef at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Mason City.  To this union, the couple would be blessed with four children, Debra, Douglas, Dennis, and Delmar.  

Duane and his family resided in Kansas City while he attended airline school.  Following his successful completion, the family resided in Clinton, Iowa, where he began working for Ozark Airlines and later transferred home, where he continued working in Mason City.  Trans World Airlines bought out Ozark, which relocated them to Orlando, Fla., where they resided for 10 years.  Duane retired in June of 1989.  

Following his retirement, he loved traveling, bowling, and was an avid golfer.  He enjoyed following baseball and was an excellent chef.  Duane was well known for his monster cookies.  Most importantly, he cherished his family deeply; his wife of 60 years, his children, grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren.

He was a dedicated veteran, lifetime member of the Clear Lake VFW Post 4868 and was previously the post commander.  He also was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church.

His memory will be cherished by his wife, Darlene Kuhlers, Mason City; children, Debra (Tom) Luhman, of West Union, Iowa, Douglas Kuhlers, of Omaha, Neb., Dennis (Pat) Kuhlers, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, and Delmar (Jane) Kuhlers, of Muscatine, Iowa; grandchildren, Adam (Nikki) Luhman, Amber (Matt) Keppler, Measa (Mark) Tomforde, Megan (David) Hintz, Brianna Kuhlers, Bryce Kuhlers, Brent (Ashley Cummings) Kuhlers, Steven Kuhlers and Stefi Kuhlers; great-grandchildren, Ava, Isabel, Jackson, Cael, Hadlee and Mason; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Magdalene Dirks; brothers, Henry and Alvin Kuhlers; along with one brother in infancy.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.