Obituary for Duane Howard Pratt

 Duane Howard Pratt, 81, passed Saturday December 9, 2023 at Silver Oak Nursing, Marion, IA. A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Salvation Army 1000 C Ave. NW Cedar Rapids.

Duane was born December 18, 1941, in Delhi, Iowa to Howard and Rotha Pratt. He completed the 8th grade and started working to help his family.  He held many different jobs throughout life and lived in many areas of Iowa, until settling in Cedar Rapids.

He married Barbara (Wallerich), September 8, 1972. He worked as security guard for a retail store and went on to work at Hi-way Equipment as a welder until retirement. He however would take on temporary jobs in manufacturing companies. 

After he went to volunteer for The Salvation Army, picking up goods from local vendors, taking folks to camp and bell ring during Christmas.  Duane was not just a volunteer but a solider of The Salvation Army and attend church with Barbara.

Together they did lots of traveling, camping, fishing, bowling and Duane enjoyed hunting building models and sports. There was always time for family, most importantly the grandchildren, he loved helping care for them and finding things they could do. Tyler and Kevin Jr. were his fishing buddies and enjoyed just hanging out watching cartoons. He would do whatever he could for those children in his life.

He was blessed days before passing to meet and hold great great grandson Oliver, who was just 2 months, this brought such joy to him and those around him.

Duane is survived by his daughter, Tara (Bill) Kelly; grandson, Tyler; Stepchildren: Terry Wallerich, Nelson (Deborah), Dakota, Tom De La Verge and Kathy Morgan; many grand to great great grandchildren (32 total); 2 sisters, Bettina Meister and Joyce Gaskill  and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded In death by his wife Barbara parents Howard and Rotha, brothers: Ralph, Wally, Raymond, Orville, sister Marsha and stepdaughter Lahoma.

Duane will be missed and thought of, as he was a simple man who enjoyed life.

Memorial donations can be sent to Tara Kelly 413 summer Circle NE Cedar Rapids IA 52402 or to the Salvation Army of Cedar Rapids.