Irene Duwa

Irene Duwa, 95, of Lost Nation passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

Her funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 28, 2019 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lost Nation with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 3:00 -6:00 p.m.  with a Rosary being recited at 2:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lost Nation. Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lost Nation.  Lahey & Dawson Funeral Service of Lost Nation is assisting the family.

Gladys Irene was born on June 23, 1924 in Johnson County, Iowa to David and Nettie (Zager) Gingerich. She graduated from Oxford High School. On October 28, 1943 she was united in marriage to the love of her life Melvin Duwa on the Army Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She worked for Civil Services and in the cafeteria at the Lost Nation School for many years. Irene is a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Lost Nation and a former member of the Altar and Rosary Society and former Lost Nation Legion Auxiliary member.

She spent her time cooking, baking, sewing and tending to her garden. She would work on ceramics making sure all of her family members had enough decorations. Her greatest enjoyment was when she was spending time with her family on family vacations or traveling with her husband.

Those left to cherish her memories are her husband of almost 76 years Melvin of Lost Nation, four children; LaVonne (Gary) Gleason of Bettendorf, Karen (Jim) Hamann of Long Grove, Vicki (Tom) Shady of West Liberty, Tim (Jackie) Duwa of Lost Nation, 11 grandchildren; Mark, Jason, Michele, Ken, Bonnie, Renee, Joe, Jeremy, Kim, Matthew, Marisa and 18 great-grandchildren, a great-great granddaughter, daughters-in-law Kathy (Jerry) Morrison, of Marion and Melodee (Richard Shewmake) Duwa, of Eldridge.

She is preceded in death by her two sons David and Daniel, granddaughter Angie, great-grandson Tyler, sister Alice Zook and three brothers Olin, Delbert and Lester Gingerich.

Memorials may be directed to a foundation or charity of your choice in Irene’s honor.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.laheys.com

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