Duane R. Hockel, 77, of Dakota City, passed away November 11, 2014 at Unity Point Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt. Interment will be in East Ullensvang Cemetery, Thor. Visitation with the family will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.
Duane is survived by his wife, Nadine of Dakota City; daughter, Caroline (Neal) Thompson of Hardy; son, Rick (Joanie) Hockel of Fort Dodge; 6 grandchildren, Whitney (Tim) Schmitt, Caleb (Audrey) Hockel, Taylor Hockel, Ben (Kelsey) Thompson, Dana Thompson, and Mitch Thompson; 2 great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Hockel and Corver Thompson; brother, Dale (Gloria) Hockel of Norwalk; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Mark and Roger Hockel.
Duane Richard Hockel, the son of Richard and Beata (Ernst) Hockel, was born March 22, 1937 in rural Humboldt County near Hardy. He received his grade school education in Country schools near Humboldt and graduated from Humboldt High School. Following his graduation, Duane enlisted into the United States Navy and was stationed in Cuba until his honorable discharge in 1960. He was united in marriage to Nadine Grebner at the United Methodist Church in Humboldt on January 25, 1961. The couple established their home near Hardy and Duane worked for Bayse Hatchery and on a farm near Hampton. He then began farming near Hardy and went to work for the Chantland Company in Humboldt until his retirement.
Duane so very much enjoyed spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren grow up. Duane was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, served as a 4-H leader, and enjoyed playing Somerset.