Duane Lloyd Dreager, age 72, of Nodaway, Iowa, formally of Atlantic, Iowa was born on July 9, 1952, to the late Lloyd and Ruth Ann Dreager (Butler) passed away in his home August 11, 2024 after a year long battle with cancer. The Godson of John (Jack) Jones and Pauline (Auntie) Dreager. A beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and community member, Duane has lived a full life rich in laughter, work on the farm, and service to others.
Duane grew up in Atlantic, Iowa, attending Pymosa Elementary, Washington Elementary and later Atlantic High School. After high school, Duane attended Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa for tractor mechanics. He proudly maintained lifelong relationships with many of his classmates, teachers and other Atlantic Trojans. From a young age, he developed a strong work ethic as a farmhand and truck driver for various families in Cass County. He was grateful to the opportunities that were provided by the Dvorak, Wickman, Jensen, Kleen and Zellmer families, amongst other neighbors, to get paid to do something he loved.
That passion for agriculture and animal husbandry continued as he raised livestock and farmed with his family north of town in Pymosa Township on a homestead that never lacked orange Allis-Chalmers farm equipment. His professional career saw him behind the wheel as a semi-driver for Sunny Fresh Foods based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He never lived far from the community and friends he cherished and was usually found somewhere near Marne or along Buck Creek Road in a Dodge truck.
Duane loved his country and served it with pride as an enlistee in the Army National Guard, embodying the values of dedication and service that he carried into every aspect of his life. His passion for cooking started in the Guard and continued throughout his life. Few people were as proficient in the kitchen as Duane and he made no apologies for loving every bite of a good meal. Duane, his brother Donnie, and local friends helped roast the pig at countless civic and family events. Great memories and true moments of fellowship he talked about until the end.
A devoted volunteer and neighbor, Duane was actively involved in his children’s 4-H clubs and embraced 4-H as a lifelong passion to help young kids achieve their full potential. His leadership as the Swine Superintendent for the Cass County Fair left a lasting impact on hundreds of youth that got the opportunity to learn about Head, Heart, Hands and Health. He was also a founding member of the Iowa Pork Producers Pork Tent Grilling Committee, a role that brought him great pride and joy.
Beyond his civic contributions, Duane was a passionate fan of NASCAR, the Iowa Hawkeyes, Trojan wrestling, and the Kansas City Chiefs. His love for these sports was well-known among family and friends. A man of faith, Duane was a long-time member of the Men’s Club at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, where he enjoyed fellowship and service for many years.
Duane is survived by his loving wife, Karen Dreager, with whom he shared 14 wonderful years of marriage; his children, John Dreager of Fountain Hills, AZ, Melissa Mintle (Brian) of Grinnell, IA, and Joe Dreager (Emily) of USMC stationed in Guam; his cherished grandchildren, Jenna, Ellie, and Cole Mintle, and Hannah and Mac Dreager; and his siblings, Diane Voss (Robert) of Ashland, NE and Donald Dreager (Dawn) of Atlantic, IA; his nieces and nephews, Teresa Hyda (Voss), Brenda Voss, Dawson, Dustin, Derek and Dayna Dreager. Duane’s marriage to Karen brought her children who loved him dearly; Carrie Green (Dan) of Shenandoah, IA, Jackie Pafford of Creston, IA, and Chelsey Currin (Brian) of Nodaway, IA; her grandchildren, Brandon Pafford, Kelly Mattson (Jared); Jackson Pafford (Sydney), Karson Pafford, Braxton and Jazzlyn Kingery; Erma, Ivan, Danica, and Liam Currin.
Duane’s family, friends, and community will remember him for his unwavering zeal for his hometown, his joyful nature, and his infectious enthusiasm for the things he loved most in life.
Duane is preceded in death by his parents Lloyd Donald and Ruth Ann Dreager; his grandparents Robert Lewis and Martha Marie Dreager, Dale Bradbury and Irene Faith Herbert Butler; his uncle’s John Roy Butler and Edward Dale Butler.
Memorial Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Wiota, IA with Pastor Mike Bodkins officiating. A luncheon will be held in the church fellowship Hall following the service. Burial will follow the luncheon at Southlawn Memorial Gardens in Atlantic.
Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service.
Your friendship over the decades has been more than we could ask for. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for contributions to be made in the family’s name for future designation and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523 Atlantic, IA 50022.
The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic is caring for the Dreager family at this time.
