"Missing you on this Valentine's day Dunes. You always loved this holiday, plus the fact that as soon as it was over you got to take a mini vacation which you deserved. Hope you were watching down on us today and that we did good."
Duane W. "Dunes" Schroeder, 62, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday morning, November 30, 2019, at his brother Alan's home in Lost Nation, Iowa.
A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, December 5, 2019, at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 210 EAST PLATT STREET, Maquoketa. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, from 2 to 7 P.M. at the TIMBER CENTER, 1005 EAST PLATT STREET, Maquoketa. Burial will be at the Lost Nation, Iowa Cemetery. Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is in charge of the arrangements.
Duane Wilbert Schroeder was born on September 13, 1957 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Wilbert John "Gus" and Lois Elaine (Steinke) Schroeder. He grew up in Lost Nation and was a 1977 graduate of Lost Nation High School.
Dunes was a lifelong florist and gardener most recently working at RonAnn's Floral Shoppe in Maquoketa since 2005, as well as owner of the Welcome Flower Shop in Lost Nation, Iowa. He also worked as a bartender at many local establishments with many years at Timber Lanes in Maquoketa. Additionally, he enjoyed many summer nights greeting customers at the Voy 61 Drive-In Movie Theatre in Maquoketa.
He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, Jackson County Master Gardner's and the Jackson County Fair Board Association. He was an avid bowler and had been a member of several area bowling leagues. He enjoyed flowers, horseback riding, birds, fish, the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers. Most importantly enjoyed spending time with friends and family, especially his nieces and nephews.
Those left to honor his memory include his siblings, Dennis (Phyllis) Schroeder of Cheyenne, WY, Randy (Anna) Schroeder of Riverdale, GA, James (Sally) Schroeder of Lost Nation, IA, Susan (Dana) Zeller of Lost Nation, IA, and Alan (Kelly) Schroeder of Lost Nation, IA; a foreign exchange brother, Genio (Carol) Mallillin of NJ; 14 nieces and nephews, 27 great nieces and nephews, and 2 great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Robert, and 2 nephews.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Duane W. "Dunes" Schroeder memorial fund has been established.
The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
"Missing you on this Valentine's day Dunes. You always loved this holiday, plus the fact that as soon as it was over you got to take a mini vacation which you deserved. Hope you were watching down on us today and that we did good."
"My Deepest Sympathy to the Family, Dunes was a Super Person, we that knew Him couldn?t help but love Him. Fond memories, God Bless you, Lorna"
"My condolences and sympathy to the family . Dunes was such an awesome person."
"Rest in peace Dunes."
"Sending my condolences to the whole Schroeder clan. May your fond memories keep Dunes alive. Love to you all Nancy Rutenbeck"
"My sympathy and condolences for Dunes Schroeder. Dee Ewing "
"We at the Dubuque County Fair and Event Center would like to extend our deepest sympathy."
"Thoughts and prayers to the family- going to miss seeing him out and about and always a smile and a friendly greeting,Dunes- you were like Rocky(in the movies) and fought hard and in our hearts you won.. Heaven gained a great angel for sure!"
"Roy and Deb Wilhelm RIP Dunes we will miss you. To your family and friends we are sorry for your loss."
"It is difficult to say goodbye to such a special person. If you did not have the opportunity to know "Dunes" you missed meeting a wonderful caring man. He was a friend to everyone he met. I will always have the memories of the adventures we took, shopping at the goodwill stores and every yard sale we passed. The times we spent together playing cards, board games and watching movies. I will miss his bright smile, his hugs and his loving caring heart. Thank you for being a part of my life. Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same. My sincere condolences to the Schroeder family "
"Family of Dunes Schroeder, Dunes was such a great man that always had a smile on his face! He was loved by all who knew him! We will miss him so much. RIP Dunes - no more suffering. "
"The heavens just got a whole brighter. An amazing man an a true inspiration taken away fro from us way to soon. I will definitely miss that smile an those hugs you could always make a bad day brighter. You are gonna be missed so much You will be forever loved. I know you will be smiling down on us from heaven above the morning sun will shine a little brighter the sky will shine a whole lot brighter your smile will light up the darkest of nights Thanks for the memories RIP Dunes forever loved forever missed. "
"What a wonderful man he was! My condolences to you all. He will be missed by all."
"Da.... you taught me so much... about disco dancing (I know, I know.... let YOU lead!) and flowers and life in general. You truly were one of a kind and we were all blessed to know you and have you in our lives. You lived life every day to the very fullest, despite the diagnosis and the prognosis. Thank God above that those two things never ever defined you. We all love you and we know there's a special garden in Heaven waiting for you...God needs your skills, you know! Follow that yellow brick road, my friend..and forever keep smiling. "
"To the entire Schroeder family, my deepest sympathies. Dunes was definitely a one of a kind man, a great example of a wonderful human being. May you rest in peace now Dunes, fly high! "
"No words to describe how many lives you touched with your good character and endless smiles. You are so admired and loved. You are an example of what goodness symbolizes for all humanity. Without doubt you will be greatly missed by so very many! R.I.P. our friend, and smile down upon us all and we cry and we laugh sharing the memories you left us all to cherish. Prayers for all! "
" Whenever I saw you Dunes, there was Always a Hugh Hug involved. You were a very special person. One of the kindest ever!! We lost a great one. I know your smilin down on all of us ... You will be missed."
"RIP Dunes, you were one of a kind and I was so very fortunate to be able to call you my friend. I will miss your smiles, your sense of humor and your hugs. I will miss your teasing me about taking all day to do an hour job. I will miss our game playing and our Sunday road trips.The only people that were not your friend were the ones that you hadn't met yet. You are going to be missed by many but you will never, never be forgotten. My sincere condolences to the Schroeder family."
"God bless you Dunes!!! You were and always be a one of a kind man. "
"Dune's Family,So very sorry for your loss. Dunes was one of a kind.He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Our beloved friend you will be missed by many people. We have many memories we will hold in our hearts. Love you brother until we meet again may you rest in the arms of a besutiful Angel ?"
"I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Dunes. He was one of the nicest men I have ever met. I knew him when he was bowling in Cascade and will never forget what a special person he was. Those of us who knew him will never forget his kindness and sweet personality. Rest in peace dear friend."
"Randy and Anna, Our family sends our heartfelt condolences to your family during this time of loss. May God embrace you all. Mary/Nikolas Ward and Family"
"Rip dunes. You will be remembered by your sweet smile and your kind heart. Prayers to the family. "
"God sure got a good one here.He was a great caring man. Prayers to his family he will be so missed."
"Rest in peace Dunes"
"Thinking of you..Phyliss and Dennis. He was very loved in our community! He will be missed.."
"Our deepest sympathy to all of Dunes family and friends. He will be deeply missed. "
"Our deepest sympathy to the Schroeder family and all who had the pleasure of knowing this fun loving always smiling man. RIP Dunes. "
"A great man has moved on to his next garden in heaven. I had the joy of working beside him for 14 years. His passion for life, beauty and fun was so inspiring. I have never met anyone like him and doubtful that I will again. Everyone's life was enriched simply by knowing him. May God wrap his arms around you and welcome you home."
"My deepest sympathy to the entire family as I know he was so loved by you all. It broke my heart to watch him battle the same cancer that took my Ken. But he always had that smile, if not on his face it was still in his eyes. His kindness for everyone and his sense of humor was a gift he shared with everyone he met. He touched so many lives and they are better for knowing him. That's an amazing and blessed legacy."
"Our deepest condolences to all of Dunes family and friends. "
"Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Dunes was such a loving and caring person. He will truly be missed by everyone. Prayers to all of you. "
"We are so sorry for you loss. Dunes was always the life of a party. There are so many memories of Dunes. One of my favorites- one Halloween there was a knock at the door, when I opened the door I was expecting to see children. But there was Dunes dressed as an elf saying "Trick or drink". What a character he was. We always enjoyed his flower arrangements. He had such a gift of making every arrangement just as you wanted it, but with a little of his personality in each one. He will be missed by so many. RIP Dunes! "
"Sad day for everyone that loved this wonderful man and there is so many. He has touched so many lives for so many people. He was a very giving , smiley, pleasure to be around kind of person, you will always be thought of Dunes every time I see a beautiful flower because that is what your life was all about . You were just a beautiful person . May you find peace from pain and comfort with God. "
"Condolences to the family and friends. Dunes was a gentle soul and will be very missed."
"To the Schroeder Family! You have our deepest sympathy for the loss of Dunes. He was a great man and will be missed dearly.Rip Dunes. John,Roxy and Terry"
"To the Schroeder family. You have our deepest sympathy for the loss of Dunes.He was a great man and will be missed dearly.RIP Dunes. John and Roxy and Terry!"
"Another good man in heaven.?"
"So hard to lose such a good guy! He was a blessing. "
"Dunes will be remembered as one of the kindest human beings to ever walk this earth. He was so very brave and fought his battle with such dignity. Our deepest sympathy to all of his family and closest friends. God bless!"
"Fly high, Dunes! That Yellow Brick Road has led you home to walk freely with God. Love and hugs to all the Schroeder's."
"Dunes Family, Sorry for your loss sending prayers and hugs."
"My deepest condolences, My thoughts & prayers are with Dunes family & friends he was such a great Guy! You will truly be missed Dunes RIP "
"RIP my friend, Dunes was one of the Kindest people I ever met, My heartfelt sympathies to your family and friends ???"
"RIP Dunes, You were one of the Kindest people I ever met, My heartfelt sympathies to your family and friends, ??"
"Wonderful man loved by many.. You fought a hard battle.. Love ya Dunes "