Duane A. Engstler

Duane A. Engstler, 90, of Britt passed away Saturday, November 27, 2021 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 139 3^rd Street South East in Britt with Father Joseph Sevcik officiating.  Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery. 

Rosary will begin at 4:45 PM on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt, with visitation following until 7:00 PM. A  Scriptural Wake Service will begin at 7:00 PM after the visitation.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Duane Alfred, son of Alfred and Rose (Dankbar) Engstler, was born on December 7, 1930 in Garner. Duane grew up in the Garner area. He started country school at Garfield Township and graduated from Garner High School in 1948. After high school, Duane worked at the co-op lumberyard until getting drafted into the Marines in 1952. When he returned home in 1954, Duane started farming.

On August 20, 1955, Duane was united in marriage to MaryLou McLaughlin at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City. They made their home on the farm by Eagle Lake where Duane farmed and raised livestock for 41 years before moving into town. Duane drove school bus for Britt schools for 34 years.

Duane and MaryLou enjoyed traveling. Together they delivered Winnebago motorhomes to 48 states. They visited Hawaii and Alaska, and even Germany. When their kids were growing up, they enjoyed vacations as a family. Duane and MaryLou never went anywhere without each other and did everything together.

Duane was a hard worker. He loved his family and going to any of their events. He also enjoyed various woodworking projects. Duane was a member of the American Legion for over 50 years, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and Knights of Columbus. He cooked Hobo Stew for Hobo Day’s for many, many years.

Duane is survived by his wife MaryLou of Britt; four children Jean (William) Jennings of Wilton, James (Charlotte) Engstler of Britt, Joan (Todd) Bader of Clayton, Wisconsin, and John (Dianne Wallwey) Engstler of Spencer; grandchildren Daniel Jennings, Patrick Jennings (Amy Roller), Ann (Evan) Haack, Cassie Engstler (Spencer Armstrong), Heather Engstler, Hannah Krueger (Eric Lax), and Bryce Bader; siblings June (Homer) VanOort and Russell (Monita) Engstler; brothers-in-law Veryle McLaughlin and Larry (Jean) McLaughlin; and numerous other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Rose Engstler; parents-in-law George and Eunice McLaughlin; siblings Charlene East and Ronald Engstler; and sister-in-law Darlene McLaughlin.