Bernard Duane Stearns, 85, of Ames, formerly of Creston, died Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at the Bickford Cottage of Ames.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at the Graceland Cemetery, south of Creston. Pastor Delores Doench will officiate. Burial will be at the Graceland Cemetery. Flag presentation will be by Theodore J. Martens VFW Post #1797 of Creston.
Memorial may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church or the Greater Regional Hospice Home HCI, both of Creston. Powers Funeral Home in Creston is assisting with services. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.
Bernard Duane Stearns, son of Blanche L. (Morgan) Stearns and Bernard K. Stearns, was born June 2, 1932 in Creston, Iowa. Duane graduated from Creston High School in 1950. He then earned his Associate of Arts Degree in 1952 at the Creston Junior College.
Duane went on to serve in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War era, and then served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves from 1957 to 1960. Duane received training at the Jet Engine School at the Amarillo, Texas Air Force B...[more]
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In 1958, Duane married Mary Jo Breakenridge.Together they had two sons, Kenneth & Alan. They lived and worked in the Creston area. They divorced in 1970.
On May 5, 1974, Duane married Virginia Belle (Lund) Smith in Creston. They lived in Creston, where Duane worked in the family business of Stearns Electric Company. Duane worked first as the general manager, and later as the owner, retiring in 1989. They moved to Ames. Virginia died in 2007.
Duane was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Creston.
Survivors include his two sons, Kenneth (wife Sandra) Stearns of El Paso, Texas and Alan Stearns of Norcross, Ga.; step-children, Jerene Miller (Larry Tonnar) of Creston, Jerald (wife Cathy) Smith of Lawton, Okla., Jeanie (husband Stan) Gaer of Ankeny and Joilen (husband Dennis) Poffenberger of Ames; 9 step-grandchildren, 10 step-great-grandchildren and 1 step-great great-grandchild.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Virginia, a sister Ruby Shaner and a brother-in-law, Paul Shaner.
A special Thank you to the staff at Bickford Cottage of Ames for the excellent care Duane received while residing there.