Duane Leon Kropf

Duane Leon Kropf, the son of Samuel and Mina (Holthouse) Kropf, was born November 10, 1925, in Ottosen, Iowa and died June 5, 2016, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 90 years, 6 months, and 25 days.
Duane was baptized and confirmed as an adult at the Lutheran Church in Wallingford, Iowa. He attended Ottosen Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1943. In April of 1944, he was inducted into the United States Army. During his tour of duty he served in the European Theater in Germany. Duane was wounded and later honorably discharged in 1946. He returned home then moved to Ames, Iowa where he attended Iowa State University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Poultry Husbandry in 1949.Duane taught practical agricultural science to Veterans in West Bend, Iowa. This is where he met the love of his life Carol who was also teaching at the same school.
On June 1, 1952, he was united in marriage to Carol Skattebo at the Lutheran Church in Wallingford, Iowa. Over the years they were blessed with six children David, Marsha, Rodney, Debra, Randall, and Diane. Duane and Carol lived in several locations in Iowa finally settling in their present home north of Kimballton, Iowa where they have lived for over 50 years. In Ames, Iowa Duane was a state poultry inspector and then later was employed by the U.S. government in the poultry field. He worked for the Farm Bureau, the Farmer’s Home Administration and later was an insurance sales representative. Finally he was employed by the U.S.D.A. as a meat inspector until he retired in 1993.
Duane was an active member of the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton, Iowa where he had served on the church council. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, the Disabled American Veterans, and a member of the American Legion Post #350, Brayton, Iowa. Duane enjoyed playing pinochle and farming, but most of all loved spending time with his family.
Duane was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Pat Kropf; his parents; and his brothers and sister Harold and wife Marge Kropf, Viola and husband Donald Wehring, Marvin and wife Verna Kropf, Lowell and wife Velma Kropf, and Richard Kropf.
Survivors include his wife Carol Kropf of Kimballton, Iowa; his children David and wife Dixie Kropf of Estherville, Iowa, Marsha and husband Bill Kragelund of Anita, Iowa, Rodney and wife Tina Kropf of Kimballton, Iowa, Debra and husband Wayne Tallcott of Mendon, Illinois, Randall Kropf of Maryville, Missouri, and Diane and husband Oliver McFadden of Atlantic, Iowa; his 28 grandchildren Jack, Joseph, Joshua Kropf, A.J. and Zach Edwards, Brandae Lopez, Melanie Heyd, Angela, Alyssa, Joey and Jimmy Kragelund, Tina, Jayme, Abigail, Casey Kropf, Jessica Day, Ken Bingel, Amanda Steinhauser, Brittany Garvis, Jeremy, Adam and Rebekah Tallcott, Christopher, Kevin, Ryan, and Cole Kropf, and Kerran and Camden McFadden; 20 great grandchildren, his sister-in-law Lenora “Punky” Kropf of Ruthven, Iowa; his brother-in-law Clare and wife Maxine Skattebo of Fairmont, Minnesota; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Thursday, June 9, 2016, at 2:00 P.M. at the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton, Iowa. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery west of Brayton, Iowa. The casket bearers will be Jack Kropf, Casey Kropf, Kevin Kropf, Jeremy Tallcott, Adam Tallcott, Kerran McFadden, Camden McFadden, and Jim Kragelund. The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening at 4:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. The family suggests memorials to the Brayton Lutheran Church, Heifer International, or the Salem Lutheran Home.