Allan Paul Duhn of Griswold, the oldest son of Albert and Margaret (Maaland) Duhn, was born November 4, 1946, in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Allan died at Methodist Hospital in Omaha on February 18, 2025, at the age of 78 years, 3 months, and 14 days.
Allan was baptized on December 15, 1946, and confirmed is faith in Jesus on June 5, 1960, both at Bethany Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg.
Allan grew up on farms in Palo Alto County where is dad farmed. At the end of his eighth grade year, the family moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa. During that time he took on lawn mowing jobs and worked in a grocery store. He finished high school in Spirit Lake in 1964. He attended Estherville Junior College for two years and then transferred to Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1966. After finishing that program he served an internship at the Tenold Funeral Home in Spirit Lake and Milford and became a licensed funeral director in 1968. On June 5, 1968, he married Judy Ann Linn at Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. From there he assisted at the Corl Funeral Home in Exira for a short time. From 1970 – 1972 they lived in Atlantic where he was associated with Wagler Funeral Home in Griswold and Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland and then from 1972-1974 this team acquired the funeral home in Anita. Allan and Judy lived in Anita until 1974 when they purchased the Wagler Funeral Home from Dwight and Mary Wagler. Allan served families in the Griswold area until 2012 when he retired and sold the business to Marty Rieken.
Allan was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church by serving on the board, church treasurer, financial secretary, and building committee. He was also a 30 year member of the Griswold Fire Department and currently a member of Iowa Fireman’s Association. He was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association; 50 year member of Iowa Funeral Directors Association and a past president in 1977-78; served on the IFDA legislative committee for 20 years; and member of Funeral Services of Iowa for 25 years. Allan has been a member of the Griswold Cemetery Board from its beginning and served as its chairman for many years. Allan has served the Griswold Dollars for Scholars as its treasurer since its beginning. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. Allan was a member of Pheasants Forever; past member of Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited, and National Turkey Federation. He was a 50 year member Cass Lodge #412 A.F & A.M. and a member of Elks Lodge #445 BPOE in Atlantic.
Allan and Judy enjoyed traveling and camping during their retirement, especially wintering in Texas and Florida.
Allan was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Melissa; his nephew Brian; brother-in-law Hector; and brother and sister-in-law Russ and Mary Jane Hecht.
Allan is survived by his wife, Judy; daughter Jennifer Richter and husband Dar; granddaughter Brooke Pelzer; and grandson Logan Pelzer and special friend, Britney Nelson; sisters Carol DeShepper of Lake Park, Marcia and Rick Morrison of Woodbine, Barb and Vince Work of Spencer; brothers Terry and Ruth Duhn of Glenwood, MN, and Jerry and Maureen Duhn of Hiles, WS; also one uncle, Marvin and Ruth Duhn of Emmetsburg; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service for Allan will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 1:30 PM, at Faith Lutheran Church in Griswold. Interment will be in the Griswold Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 4:30 PM untill 7:00 PM, at the Griswold Community Building. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family with arrangements.
