Duane Johnson

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He enjoyed it when people called him “The Rock”.

Duane was born September 19, 1942 to Walter and Helen (Wisdom) Johnson. He grew up on a farm between Avoca and Shelby. Duane graduated from Shelby Tennant school class of 1960.

He was raised with 4 siblings, Delores, Betty, Bill and Charlie. Duane met Joan Lee Krummel during their high school years. In his early years he worked numerous jobs, including Avoca Implement, Johnson Crest Vickers & Olesen Chevrolet. Joan worked for her family’s diner, “The Krummel Cafe”. Duane would make a point to go to the cafe daily for lunch in order to see her. Duane and Joan were wed on June 8th, 1963. They always told the story that he was older than Joan, but still needed his parents signature in order to get married and she did not.

The couple spent many weekends over the decades at local dance halls with friends. They were always up for a good polka or waltz. Duane took pride in his dancing and loved to “cut a rug” to show off his skills.

Duane was very good at surprising Joan with things throughout his life. He bought her a new car and randomly showed up at her work with it, only to accidentally back it into a pole when leaving the same day. He surprised her again when he bought a new place for them to live, which ended up being the farm on which they raised their family and he was able to spend his final days. Over the years he had many other surprise gifts for Joan, a Bull for Mother’s Day, a motorcycle for her birthday, and a new tractor to name a few. Needless to say she was not always thrilled with the gifts.

During his younger days Duane was a proud Avoca Volunteer Firefighter. He retired from the squad after attaining 30 years of service.

As a farmer Duane did a lot of custom combining and baling when he first started out. Over the years he had all the animals, from cows, hogs, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, and even a deer and fox along the way. He was always the guy people knew would take in an animal. In later years he got rid of animals and went entirely to row crops. He still enjoyed watching and feeding the cats and petting the neighbors dog.

Duane and Joan had three children, Michael, Lori and James. For Duane, work always took precedence over everything else in life. He worked hard physically and provided his children with common sense skills and a quality work ethic. He enjoyed it when people called him “The Rock”. He would even introduce himself to new people as Duane “The Rock” Johnson, to get a good laugh. The three kids still live in close proximity to the family farm and all are actively engaged in its operations.

Duane and Joan were married 60 years and 356 days, upon Joan’s passing on May 30, 2024. The entire family has had a rough few years, with the two of them being diagnosed on the same day in 2023. Both lost their battles, Joan to Lewy Body dementia and Duane to Parkinson’s & dementia just two years apart.

Duane was preceded into death by his parents, Walter and Helen Johnson, brothers-in-law Larry Krummel, Gary Brewer, and Bob Bebensee & sister-in-law Karen Johnson. Son-in-law Larry Tiarks. He leaves to mourn four siblings: Delores Bebensee - Atlantic, Betty Brewer - Avoca, Bill Johnson - Avoca, Charles (Jan) Johnson - Omaha, NE & ssister-in-law Marian Krummel - CA, Ginny (Dave) Alftine - Bettendorf, IA. His three children: Mike Johnson, Lori (Johnson) Tiarks, James (Rachel) Johnson all of Avoca. Grandchildren: Lisa (Darrian) Irlbeck - Avoca, Helen (Trevor) Jacobsen - South Dakota, Nikki (Garrett) Esser - Avoca, Jaelyn, Kieghan, Jagger, Dax Johnson - (James/Rachel). Great Grandchildren: Eva & Ivan Irlbeck (Lisa/Darrian), Brecken Jacobsen (Helen/Trevor); other family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the family for funeral expenses or AHSTW FFA Alumni.