Duane Thilges

Duane Lauren Thilges passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 18, 2019 from lung cancer and heart disease. Duane was born March 18, 1943 to Clarence and Margaret (Schaller) Thilges. He attended grade school at St. Joseph Catholic School in St. Joseph, Iowa then transferred to West Bend Public School where he graduated in 1961. He furthered his education at Austin Vocational College in Austin, Minnesota. After graduating, Duane worked as a mechanic, welder, tester, and inspector at three smaller industries until they closed. He also worked construction for Ascherl Circle Steel for 4 years. In December 1964, he joined the Algona Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in January 1971. In 1975, he began a career at West Bend Processing in West Bend, Ia. He started as plant manager, then became president and part owner of the business, retiring in December 2010. On June 3, 1967 Duane was united in marriage to Karen Collins at St. John's Catholic Church in Gilmore City, Iowa. Duane and Karen had two sons Denny and Dan. Duane was very active in the boys' lives including Indian Guides, Cub Scouts, and coaching several youth sports. He continued his love of sports by watching his grandchildren play softball, baseball, soccer, and football. Duane enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons through the years. His recent passion was attending car shows to show off his Mustangs that he restored. Duane is survived by his wife Karen, sons Denny (Amy) and Dan of Johnston, Iowa, 4 grandchildren; Lauren of Madison, WI, Madison, Abbie, and Jake Thilges of Johnston, a brother Ron Thilges of Rodman, IA, sister Mariam Kramer (Robert) of Storm Lake, IA, sister-in-laws Mary Jean Lanning of Rutland, IA, and Ann Miller of Algona, IA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Also his best friend and car buddy, Bob Friesner--who was many times mistaken as brothers. Preceding Duane in death are his parents Clarence and Margaret Thilges, sister Arlene Sobolik, and brother-in-laws Don Sobolik, Jim Lanning, Orville Hurlburt, and Jim Miller and sister-in-law Ruth Thilges. Duane was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish. His love of God and family was his relying support through many of his health issues. Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. a time for family gathering and prayer will be at Laufersweiler Funeral Home and then 10:30 a.m. a Mass of Christian Burial will be at Corpus Christi Church. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery where military rites will be presented by the VFW Post 1856. A visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with a vigil prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. Visitation Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Funeral Mass Tue, Jan 22, 2019 at 10:30 am Corpus Christi Catholic Church 402 North 8th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501