Duane Russell Schrader

Duane Russell Schrader, the son of Russell Franklin and Bernice Francis (Christensen) Schrader, was born April 17, 1940, at his parents’ home in rural Audubon County, northeast of Audubon, Iowa and died October 27, 2017, at the Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 77 years, 6 months, and 10 days.
Duane was baptized and confirmed as an adult at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended rural schools east of Exira and later attended the Audubon Community Schools. During High School Duane worked at the local grocery store in Audubon stocking shelves and taking orders for the next day for several years. He worked for several area farmers doing field work and chores for a short time. Duane then was employed as an apprentice carpenter for Glen Aagaard Construction.
On March 21, 1971, he was united in marriage to Diane Petersen at the Exira Lutheran Church. Over the years they were blessed with three children Steven, Tammy and Stacy. Duane continued to work with Aagaard Construction building spec houses and remodeling homes for over 25 years. He worked for John Ballou Construction for a short time and then farmed for several years. Duane then worked for the Elk Horn School District as a grounds keeper, custodian and bus driver for many years. Duane and Diane built a home near Exira in 1994. He worked for the Exira Community Schools as a custodian and bus driver retiring from custodial work in 2002, but continued to drive bus until September of 2017.
Duane was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church. He enjoyed making wood projects, doing yard work and watching CNN and FOX news. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Preceding him in death was his parents, his brother, John and wife Gloria Schrader, his father-in-law, Franklin Petersen, and his brother-in-law, Richard Petersen.
Survivors include his wife Diane Schrader of Exira, Iowa; his children Steven Schrader and fiancée Novella Chizek both of Audubon, Iowa, Tammy and husband Jason Jensen of Elk Horn, Iowa, and Stacy and husband Kevin Brown of Adair, Iowa; his grandchildren Kelsie Schrader and Jordan Schrader both of Audubon, Iowa, Samantha Chizek and Shelby Chizek both of Ames, Iowa, Hannah Jensen and Mason Jensen both of Elk Horn, Iowa, and Lexi Brown and Landen Brown both of Adair, Iowa; his sister Gail and husband Paul Heuss of Des Moines, Iowa; his brother Jerry and wife Judy Schrader of Elk Horn, Iowa; his sisters-in-law Linda and husband Richard Wheatley of Omaha, Nebraska and Linda Petersen of Exira, Iowa; and his mother-in-law Cynthia Petersen of Exira, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Monday evening, October 30, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Tuesday morning, October 31, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at the Exira Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery west of Exira, Iowa. The casket bearers will be Tim Heuss, Clint Schrader, Matt Schrader, Michael Petersen, Aaron Wheatley and Brett Johnson.