Obituary of LeRoy M. Duwa

LeRoy M. Duwa, 97 years old, of rural Iowa City, passed away March 10, 2020, at Lantern Park Specialty Care surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, March 14, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hills, where visitation will be on Friday from 4 to 7pm with a parish vigil service at 7pm. Burial will be at the Holy Trinity Cemetery in Richmond, Iowa. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in his memory to Iowa City Hospice. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com. He was born in Washington County and raised in Riverside, IA. He was the son Albert and Zita (Waldschmidt) Duwa. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1941 in a graduating class of 18. There were four sets of twins which included LeRoy and his twin brother Lamont. LeRoy served in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in November 1946. He married Lucille Duwa January 18, 1947, at St. Mary’s Church in Iowa City. He was a farmer, and in addition to this, he worked at the Conesville Elevator, Iowa Valley Milling Co. He retired from the University of Iowa Physical Plant after 25 years in 1991. He was a 60-year member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hills, IA, where he also served as an usher for many years. He was always willing to help whenever there was a need. He had a gentle demeanor and a pleasant welcoming gentleness to him. LeRoy was also a lifetime member of Hills Town and Country. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to all. He loved training ponies and donkeys and taking them to parades. Most of all he had to have his yard free of creeping Charlie. He would spend many weeks, days and hours pulling it. He also loved his lawn mower, spending many hours riding it to keep his yard in pristine condition. LeRoy loved to play euchre, Rummikub and solve his word search puzzle books faster than you could buy them. He leaves behind his wife, Lucille of 73 years, his children, Larry (Sheena) of Fort Collins, CO.; Bev(Leonard) Trammell of Mesquite, TX.; Judy (Carl) Cambridge of Hills, IA,; and Jan (Randy Rath) Barnes of Coralville. Ten Grandchildren, Alan (Ronnie) Duwa of New Port Richey, FL; Mark (Laura) Irvin of Cedar Rapids, Stephanie Irvin of Iowa City; Kati (Brad) Pope of Cummings, GA; Nicole (Matt) Polk of Falls Church, VA; Rob (Darlene) Duwa of Coralville, Corey (Sydney) Barnes of Iowa City, Josh Barnes of North Liberty; Jessica (Rossi) Saucedo of Forney, TX; and Shawn (Angie McCreary) of Ft. Worth, TX. Also twelve great-grandchildren plus one due in May; seven step-grandchildren, 3 step-great-grandchildren and two brothers, Melvin and Ed. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Eulalia, Bernice and Mildred and brothers, Robert and twin brother, Lamont. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for LeRoy’s family and his services.