"I only recently learned of Duane's passing, and since my 100 n 3 months old dear mother died on May 6th..I can somewhat imagine the deep grief of the entire Manning family and many friends. Duane married Jean and me in l962, baptized both of our babies, he and Orpha "encouraged me" into the ministry and were constant supporters. But the best tribute I can make is to repeat what I said at his retirement from the ministry party years ago.... I said, "Rev. Manning is the most Christlike man I've ever known, so gentle, so sweet, so strong, so compassionate, and he will always mean a great deal to me." And so it has been down thru the years after both of our retirements, with our many letters and phone calls. I shall miss him dearly. Warms my heart to believe he welcomed by dear mother into their eternal home. I have been richly blessed to have known this great man. "
In loving memory of
Rev. Duane R. Manning
September 29, 1913 - March 30, 2012
Rev. Duane R. Manning, 98, of Maquoketa, Iowa, died on Friday, March 30, 2012, at his home in rural Maquoketa, Iowa.
A celebration of Duane's life will be held at 11 A.M., Tuesday, April 10, 2012, from the First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa. There is no visitation. A time of fellowship will follow the memorial service in the church social room. Burial was held in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa. The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.
Duane Robert Manning was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on September 29, 1913, to Sarah (Sadie) Elizabeth Hale Manning and Perry Nathaniel Manning, the second of five siblings.
His father Perry completed seminary in Denver and served Methodist church congregations in Idaho, Oregon, and Kansas before returning to Oklahoma and establishing a dairy farm in rural Jet. Duane graduated from high school in Jet, helped on the farm for three years, graduated from Oklahoma City University in 1939, and started seminary studies at Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. There he met Orpha H. Thiel from rural Staples, Minnesota; they were married in June, 1940.
He graduated from Garrett and joined the South Iowa Conference of the Methodist Church in 1943. He was ordained and appointed to serve the congregation in Collins. Karen Marie was born in 1944 and David Duane in 1946. After a pastorate in Adair/Bethel, the Mannings moved to Riverton, where Larry Dean was born, completing the family. Additional charges served were Paton/Dana, Council Bluffs 5th Avenue, Colo, Menlo/Jefferson Center, and Central City.
Upon his retirement in 1981, the couple joined Karen, David, and David's wife Sarah on a farm near Maquoketa. He served for several years as a visitation pastor for Grandview United Methodist Church. Both Duane and Orpha became active in the Maquoketa United Methodist Church. Orpha died in 1994. For several years after that, Duane led services at the newly restored Fulton Community Church.
Duane had a consistent passion for issues of peacemaking, non-violence and nuclear disarmament, and supported organizations relating to these issues and other aspects of social justice and equality of opportunity. His theology, reflected in his preaching and teaching, emphasized a God of acceptance and care for all people and indeed all of Creation. He was a constant reader, and bought extra copies of books he thought his friends and associates should read.
He had a fine tenor voice, and loved to sing, by himself and in a choir. He enjoyed playing tennis and watching televised matches. He loved watching birds and having blooming plants around him. He loved his granddaughters and followed their activities, and he kept up with old and new friends by mail and telephone.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Annis, his wife of more than 54 years, and all of his siblings: Ida Ellen Manning, who died in childhood; Perry Dean Manning (and Pat) of Elkland, Missouri; Dwight Hugh Manning (and Virginia) of Jet, Oklahoma; and Irma Lois Manning of Stillwater, Oklahoma.
He is survived by his children: Karen Marie Manning of Maquoketa; David Duane Manning (and Sarah Hobbs) of Maquoketa; and Larry Dean Manning (and Susan Warren) of Weaverville, North Carolina. Also his grandchildren: Elizabeth Hobbs Manning, at college in Oberlin, Ohio; and Emma Thiel Manning of Maquoketa; and stepgrandchild Kiren Miller (and Charles) of Asheville, North Carolina, and step great-grandchild Micah Miller of Asheville.
The family suggests that memorial gifts may be designated for Maquoketa United Methodist Church, Maquoketa Family YMCA, Heifer International, or the American Friends Service Committee.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"A gentle spirit lived amoung us and journeyed a unique journey. It was a privilege to be in your home, Duane, to share small pieces of life with you and Orpha, and with your three unique individuals who grew in your garden. Thank you for spirit, for life's moments shared and for the memories that will carry us all forward. Thank you for stopping in Milton and Indianola as you traveled to visit relatives south and west of Iowa. Muriel and I will remember, with gratitude, your love of life and beauty, your leadership, your example of peace and care for the earth and the energy you gave to your many life thrusts. You are already missed. Love from Massachusetts. "
"Today we received a letter from Karen stating Uncle Duane had passed away on March 30,2012. I am ao sadden to hear this. I did let serveral of the Thiel family know that he had passed. I wished I could of been there to say good-bye in person. I am rejoicing that he is in heaven and singing with the angels. Karen, David and Larry my heart goes out to you, even when we know death is knocking at the door when they are actually gone, our hearts are pained because we have experienced such a great loss. My heart is greiving with yours today."
"Duane prepared our wedding ceremony back in 2003. Wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. "
"My first memories of Duane were on the tennis courts. From the times watching him play I learned that age is only something that can be used for an excuse to not be active or not. Duane was always cheerful and reached out to all of our family members and accepted us as we are and were. God blessed Maquoketa when he came to live and serve as an example of Christianity in his quiet activities without a lot of fanfare. Thank you, Duane and family. He will live on in our memories."
"always a pleasure to see him. We always enjoyed doing business with him."
"Rev. Duane always had such wonderful things to say from one pastor to another! He had an amazing smile and was such a kind man. He will be missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
"I worked with Duane when we both pastored churches in Council Bluffs and worked with him in United Methodist Camping experiences. He was always cheerful and positive in his support."
"You will be remembered by so many for your uniqueness, for your kindness, for your desire to help others and for your passionate attitude. Sincerest condolences to your family as they say good-bye to such a great, well loved and well respected man. "
"Letters to late: Today I opened your letter you sent me this past week ; It sat on my kitchen counter for a few days. I put off reading it thinking there was plenty of time . I herd you passed away today and I realized that time has run out. Thank you for the early birthday card, you must have realized you may not be able to give one in November. I did see the swans and geese by the interpretive center and they are beautiful ! just as you said, life is beautiful!!! I'm sorry I was to busy to read your letter, you would have received one back from me in time. What a valuable lesson i've learned today; not to put off something today because tomorrow may be too late. Will miss you at the Y, your were truly an inspiration, figured if you could workout in your 90's so can I. Hope to see you on the other side, will miss you. Thinking of your family now, may God comfort them."
"Our sympathy to you all. Sending you sympathetic hugs and a wish for Gods peace to envelope you as you celebrate a life well lived."
"A constant crusader for social justice. One of my true christian friends."
"Pastor Manning always came into my office to visit a bit at Crestridge where he came faithfully as needed and every week once if not called to come more often. I sang in the church choir with him for several years, and sometimes if I could not hit a note I just sang tenor with him. One of the nicest men I have ever known. What he preached he lived. Bless his heart, heaven has a new choir member. "
"Of all the people who came to all the nursing homes I remember Pastor Manning the most. He came as often as he could and always comforted and provided faith, hope and smiles to all our residents. We have missed you since you couldn't come anymore. RIP. Keep the ones up in Heaven on their toes! "
"What a wonderful man and he will be missed!"
"The angels have a new choir member! I had the pleasure of singing with Wayne several years in the choir at church. He was such a nice man and so pleasant to be around. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."