Duane Paul Janssen age 83 of Fairbank passed away Friday, March 31, 2023 at Unity Point Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Duane was born March 5, 1940 on the family farm near Hampton, the son of Ben and Grace (DeVries) Janssen. He attended and graduated from the Chapin School District with the class of 1958. Duane married Elaine Zander on June 24, 1960. To this union two daughters were born, Angela and Sherry. Elaine passed away in 1992. After Elaine’s passing Duane met Esther Canfield and they became good friends and eventually lifelong partners for nearly 30 years until Esther passed. Duane was a steelworker for the majority of his working career, first at Waterloo Steel, then at Eastern Iowa Pork and eventually Roberts and Dybdahl where he retired. Duane was a lifelong cowboy he loved everything about the cowboy way, the hat, the boots and most of all the horses. After his retirement he spent countless hours out in the Amish community where he kept his horses. He enjoyed helping the Amish with chores and giving them rides to wherever they needed to go. Duane still kept in contact with many of them right up until the week of his passing. Duane was a friend to many people it seemed that no matter where he went he knew somebody and would always greet them by saying “Hey how ya doing Chief” everyone was chief to him including his grandchildren. Duane’s greatest love was for his family, especially his grandchildren. He always enjoyed the time he spent with them whether it be just sitting in his recliner visiting with them while they played with his hair or giving them rides in the wagon behind the lawnmower. There are many people that are going to miss seeing that friendly man wearing the white cowboy hat and cowboy boots, especially his loving family. Duane is survived by his daughter Sherry (Rick) Hufford, three granddaughters; Jodi (Mike) Reitmajer, Kristin (Cody) Farr and Nicole (Jose) Nava and one grandson, Travis Hufford, five great-grandchildren; Cruz, Macie, Ella, Clay and Cole, two sisters; Marge (Ralph) Larson and Marilyn (Gene) Heilskov, two sisters-in-law; Mary and Ruth Janssen along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elaine, his special friend, Esther Canfield, a daughter, Angie, five brothers; Bill, Bud, Ervin, Robert and Ken Janssen, one sister; Dorothy Miller and her husband Melvin and a sister-in-law, Marsha Janssen.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, April 4 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services at the church on Wednesday.

Funeral Services: 10:30 AM Wednesday, April 5 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Oran, Iowa.

Inurnment: St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, rural Oran.

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation.

Lunch will be served after the service in the church fellowship hall.