Duane Vernon Michelson

n, 92, of Independence, formerly of Britt, passed away Monday, September 24, 2012 at the East Towne Care Center in Independence.   

Duane “Bud” Michelson, 92, of Independence, formerly of Britt, passed away Monday, September 24, 2012 at the East Towne Care Center in Independence.

Funeral services for Duane Michelson will be held on Monday, October 1, 2012 at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church, 707 4th Street SW, in Britt with Pastor Robert Dodge and Pastor Bob Solon officiating.  Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.  

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 30, 2012 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Duane Vernon Michelson, the son of Lester and May (Johnson) Michelson, was born on September 22, 1920 on the family farm near Kanawha.  He attended rural school in Amsterdam Township and graduated from Crystal Lake High School.  Duane helped on the farm for a few years after graduating, before joining the Navy in 1942.

Duane served his country for almost 4 years before his honorable discharge in 1946.  On July 13, 1949 he was united in marriage to Blanche Eisenman in Forest City, Iowa.  The couple made their home in Cresco where they farmed.  They moved back to the Britt and Crystal Lake area and continued farming.  Duane began working for Winnebago Industries in 1968 and continued this work for 13 years.  The couple moved into Britt in 1969.

Duane attended church at the United Methodist Church in Britt and most recently attended at Hope Wesleyan in Independence with his family.  He enjoyed fishing, baseball (especially the Cubs and Twins), gardening and listening to country music.  Duane loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  A special time he spent with one of his grandsons was a trip on the honor flight to Washington D.C.

Duane is survived by his sons:  Darrell Michelson of Gainesville, Georgia and David Michelson of Britt; daughter Darla (Joe) Schulz of Independence; 4 grandchildren:  Dustin, Sarah, Zachary and Makaela; sister Beverly Smith of Iowa Falls; sister-in-law Wanda Michelson of Manchester; brother-in-law Chet (Sandy) Eisenman of Britt; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Blanche; sisters:  Vivian Michelson and Pauline Greiman; brothers:  Raymond and Allen Michelson; sisters-in-law:  Ardith Michelson and Lola Eisenman; and brothers-in-law:  Vernon Smith, Howard Greiman and Don Eisenman.