Richard W. Duitsman

Richard W. Duitsman - age 83, of Manson, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2019, at the UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Richard William Duitsman was born March 2, 1936, in Fonda, Iowa. He was the son of Fredrick and Marie (Buening) Duitsman. He was baptized at Zion Evangelical Church in rural Pomeroy. Richard attended Williams #5 country school and later Lytton and Fonda High Schools. Growing up, he used to help his neighbor milk cows. After attending high school, Richard worked for the Rock Island Railroad and later enlisted in the Army Reserves, where he finished his GED. Richard began working for Bush-Hog in Fort Dodge, Iowa in the late 1950s until their closing in the early 1980's. After their closing, Richard worked various jobs. On May 21, 1960, he married Delores Gist in Mallard, Iowa and to this union, five children were born. The couple later divorced.

Richard was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Pomeroy. He enjoyed his birds, loved dogs (especially German Shepards), gardening, loved going to auctions and loved being outdoors on his acreage. He also had a special place in his heart for collecting old tractors and old cars and having conversations about "the good old days".

Survivors include his children, Teresa (Jim) Ellis of Fort Dodge, Craig (Barb) Duitsman of Gravette, AR, Kevin (Pamela) Duitsman of O'Fallon, IL,  Mark (Dixie Strable) of Rutland and Brad Duitsman of Manson; five grandchildren, Brandon, Chris and Corey Ellis and Derek and Melanie Duitsman; two great-granddaughters, Ardyn and Aralyn Ellis; sisters, Joann Kaufman of Worland, WY and Shirley (Earl) Johnson of Manson. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Norma Harrison and brothers, Robert and Edward Duitsman.