John Duro

Dr. John Duro, 83, of Fort Dodge, passed away Monday March 31, 2025, at Simpson Health Center, Friendship Haven.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday April 5, 2025, at St. Marks Episcopal Church. Burial will follow at North Lawn Cemetery with Military Rites by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and VFW Post 1856. There will be a visitation on Friday April 4,2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Laufersweiler Funeral Home.

John E. Duro was born on July 3rd, 1941, in Des Moines to Harvey and Evelyn (Franklin) Duro. He lived on a farm in Guthrie County until the age of 6, before living in Des Moines for two years and moving to Webster City. John attended Webster City Schools, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1959. He then attended Webster City Junior College for one year before moving on to the University of Iowa where he would go on to graduate from the College of Dentistry in 1965. In August of 1965, John married Mary Ellen Ekstrand in Hutchinson, MN. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July of 1965 where he was stationed in Fort Knox, KY, for a year. John then served as a Captain in the Dental Corp, stationed in Saigon and Cuchi, Vietnam. Following his service in 1967, the couple moved to Fort Dodge where he established a dental practice. In 1970, he along with Dr. Don Cassady and Dr. PJ Leehey built the Dental Associates Building for their respective practices. John would retire from dental practice on June 30, 2009.

John was active in St. Mark's Episcopal Church for over 50 years. He was active in the Fort Dodge Dental Society and the Iowa Dental Association. John was a member of the Fort Dodge Noon Sertoma Club for many years as well. He enjoyed gardening, wood working, and stained-glass art.

John is survived by his wife, Mary of almost 60 years; daughter Andrea (Joe) McGough; Son, Steve (Mary) Duro; grandchildren, Alexandra (Collin) Brecher, Matthew McGough, Nathan Duro, and Charles Duro; brother, Frank (Marci) Duro of La Salle, IL; brothers-in-law, Ray Ems, Rick (Tammie) Ekstrand, Jim (Barb) Ekstrand; and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Ann Ems.

Many thanks to the staff of Unity Point Hospice and the staff of Arbor Lane at Simpson Health Center, Friendship Haven.

Memorials may be left to St. Mark's Episcopal Church and Almost Home Humane Society.