Duane Dean Dougherty

Services: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 10:00 A.M., Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 24116 Marian Avenue, Glenwood, Iowa.

Interment: Saturday November 22, 2025, 2:00 P.M., Grove Cemetery, 2588 130th Street, Lenox, Iowa.

Duane Dean Dougherty, 96, of Glenwood, Iowa (formerly of Lenox, Iowa) passed away at his home while surrounded by the love and prayers of family on November 16, 2025. Duane was born on October 1, 1929 in Omaha, Nebraska to John Clarence and Mildred Ann (Chambers) Dougherty. Duane was a country boy through and through. Many of his favorite childhood memories included hunting, walking across the fields and riding his horse to school while living in the hills of Louisville, Nebraska. Upon passing his 8th grade exam, he was “finished” with country school for the year and was so excited when his Dad then allowed him to work the fields with a plow driven by a six-horse team. With a twinkle in his eye, he would share this memory and with passion in his voice he would exclaim, “Oh! I loved that!” Duane later graduated from Benson High School in Omaha but missed those Louisville days.  

Duane met his beautiful bride during a polka dance at Sokol Hall in Omaha.  During their courtship, Rose made it clear that she “never wanted to marry a farmer”.  Duane at the time did not plan on farming. He entered the military, serving his country in the United States Air Force Guard. While stationed in Bangor, Maine, he found it so beautiful that he wanted Rose to join him there. When Duane was able to come home on leave, he married Rosemary Gloeb on July 14, 1951, at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church in Omaha, Nebraska. They returned to Maine together by train and later spent time stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, where their first daughter Rosanne was born.  

Duane did return to farming. He farmed the land that is now Westroads in Omaha for a while as well as land near Herman, Nebraska. During this time in Nebraska, four more children were added to the family – Marianne, Duane, Mark and Kathleen. Duane was thrilled when he found a farm in Iowa that became “home” for so many years. The farm life they both thought they didn’t want, they ended up loving. Many visits from extended family helped to make this a treasured time for the whole family, which now included Teresa.  

Duane’s sons fondly remember September 1st as the day their Dad would take them squirrel hunting and later in the fall they would go pheasant hunting. Duane’s sense of adventure didn’t stop there. He learned how to fly a small engine plane, tipping his wings to “wave” as he flew by. His family enjoyed motorcycle rides, skiing behind his boat on Lake Icaria, and riding the beautiful Arabian horses he raised and trained. Duane and Rose admired the lay of the land and various crops grown as they traveled through various parts of the country, noting how much beauty there is to see in our own United States. Duane couldn’t resist a good polka dance – even during their travels. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, introducing them to adventures of 4-wheeler rides down the field road. The grandchildren would line up for their turn. But his greatest and most treasured adventure was his 73 years of marriage to Rose!

Even through their hospice journey, Duane and Rose found comfort and happiness in holding hands and just being together. During one precious conversation, Duane said, “Rose, you married a country hick.”  Rose responded, “It was meant to be, and I love him dearly.” And Duane continued, “I want to be remembered as a country hick who supported his 6 kids.”

Duane will be remembered as a farmer who worked hard through the years to provide for and protect the family he loved and who lived his life deeply rooted in faith. He will be remembered as a man who recognized and appreciated the many blessings of God – who grew in faith even during this past year while waiting to meet his Savior and be reunited with Rose in heaven.  

Preceding Duane in passing are his beloved wife, Rose; his parents; and his two brothers, Dick (Annette) Dougherty and Glen Dougherty. Survivors include his children: Rosanne (Richard) Lubbert of Bellevue, Nebraska; Marianne (Marty) Dolphens of Papillion, Nebraska; Duane M. (Evelyn) Dougherty of Corning, Iowa; Mark J. Dougherty of Des Moines, Iowa; Kathleen (Barry) Loeffelbein of Glenwood, Iowa; Teresa M. (George) Bledsoe of Glenwood, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

Through the hospice journey Duane and family have been blessed by the support of Trinity Lutheran church, the community and so many incredible health care workers from St. Croix Hospice and Comfort Keepers. You have been the hands and feet of Christ on this journey and we can never thank you enough!

Those who live in Christ will never see each other for the last time. (German Proverb)

Well done, dear Duane.  We will miss you, and we will hold you in our hearts forever.  .  .   until we meet again. 

Military Honors provided by: Harvey T. Rimel American Legion Post 141, Glenwood, Iowa and the U.S. Air Force.

Memorial donations have been designated to: Bloom Senior Center, Trinity Lutheran Church or St. Croix Hospice.