Arnold B. Duitscher

Arnold Berend “Dutch” Duitscher, 91 of Thornton, Iowa, died Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in his home on the farm.

A funeral service was held on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with The Rev. Kathryn Campbell officiating.  Burial with military honors provided by the Clear Lake VFW was in Ventura Cemetery, in Ventura.

  In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions to St. John’s Episcopal Church, in Mason City, Clear Lake VFW Color Guard, or to Hospice of North Iowa.

Arnold was born Aug. 22, 1925, to William and Mayme (Matson) Duitscher, of Thornton, on the family farm.  He married Madelyn “Torch” McCauley on May 21, 1949, in Albert Lea, Minn.  To this union, they were blessed with five children.

A 1943 graduate of Clear Lake High School, he joined the United States Navy, serving during World War II on the USS Bernadou.  Upon his discharge, he attended Mason City Junior College, played football, and began working for Secory Plumbing and Heating.  In 1947, he was a part of the Clear Lake VFW National Quarterfinalist basketball team.  He later worked for Payne Plumbing and Heating in Mason City for 39 years, and was a farmer from 1953 until the day he died.

Arnold was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, in Mason City, Clear Lake VFW, and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.  Anyone that knew Arnold knows working and farming was a big part of his life.  He took pride in his Century Farm.  He enjoyed watching any and all sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings, Iowa Hawkeyes, Cincinnati Reds, college basketball, and attending the monthly Clear Lake class of 1943 reunion committee meetings.

He loved his family and cherished the time spent with them.

Arnold is survived by his wife, Madelyn “Torch” Duitscher, of Thornton; four children, Trudy Duitscher-Hillburg, of Thornton, Judy (Tom) Linahon, of Clear Lake, Bobbi Robbins, of Des Moines, and Lolly Duitscher, of Mason City; eight grandchildren, Shay Linahon, Andy (Allison) Linahon, Joshua (Jessica) Duitscher, Benjamin Duitscher, Michael Duitscher, Adam Hillburg, Zachary Duitscher and Kamila Clark; six great-grandchildren, Madison, Makayla, Aidyn, Jackson, Delilah, and Emery; a sister, Janice Nelson, of Clear Lake; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Bill; a grandson, T.J. Hillburg; sister-in-law, Margaret Weaver; brother-in-law, Tom Nelson; and his special dog, Gunner.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.