Duane R. Francis

Duane R. Francis, 84, of Britt passed away Friday, December 24, 2010 at the Hancock County Community Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services for Duane Francis will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt with Pastor Joel DeBoer officiating.  Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt, and will continue one hour prior to services.

Duane Roger Francis, the son of Frank and Vernal (Indvik) Francis, was born on April 12, 1926 in Batavia, Iowa.  He attended schools in Indiana and Iowa and enlisted in the Army Air Force on February 29, 1944.  He trained as a turret gunner on B17’s and B29’s until June 1946 when the war ended.  He then hitchhiked to Britt and got a job at the Britt Post Office before he even went home to see his parents.  He helped his father Frank in the Francis Painting business and joined the Britt Fire Department at this time.

On September 8, 1946, Duane was united in marriage to Rose Marie Fillenwarth at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  To this union, four children were born: Connie, Bonnie, Larry and Jerry.  They lived in Britt their entire 61 years of married life.

Duane retired from the Britt Post Office in May of 1981.  He then worked at the Liquor Store and at Sankey’s Service Station before fully retiring.  He was a member of the Britt Fire Department for over 40 years and a member of the American Legion for over 60 years.  He bowled on leagues for many year, Duane and Rose enjoyed camping, taking vacations all over the U.S., going to casinos, and attending family reunions.

Duane’s biggest enjoyment was his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and he would do anything for them.

Duane is survived by his four children and their families: daughter, Connie (Dorance) Hefte of Cassville, Wisconsin, and their children, Kim (Scott) McKnight and son Nikolas of North Liberty, Meghan (Chad) Howell and sons Tyler and Alexander of Davenport, and Andrew (Laura) Hefte of Lenexa, Kansas; son, Larry Francis of Mason City and his daughters Nicole Francis of Swansea, UK and Jennifer (Jon Easley) Francis and children, Madison, Dylan, Averie and Lennon of Marion; daughter, Bonnie (Arlen) Olson of Alexander and their son Travis of Ansley, Nebraska; son, Jerry (Ronda) Francis of Britt and their three sons, Joshua (Raelynn) Francis of Britt and their son, Jaxin, Michael (Heather) Francis of Britt and their daughters, Brooklyn and Bailey, and Daniel Francis of Britt.

Duane was preceded in death by his wife, Rose, his parents and step-mother Emma Francis, infant grandson, Zackary Olson, brother Darrell and step-siblings Eithel, Geraldine, Ralph, and Betty.