C. Duane Cerven, the son of Oscar and Marjorie (Akers) Cerven, was born July 12, 1935 in Gravity, Iowa. Duane attended Gravity High School, Gravity, graduating in 1953. In 1956, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving his country in Germany for 18 months, receiving his honorable discharge.

On July 16, 1967, Duane was united in marriage to Evelyn Damewood in The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They became the parents of three children, Dave, Deb, and Darin.

In the spring of 1968, the couple bought a Missouri farm outside of Blanchard, Iowa. Duane was a fan of John Deere machinery. He took great pride in growing and improving his land. He was also very proud of his livestock.

Duane was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge and received his 50+ year membership. He was also a member of the Westboro United Methodist Church, Westboro, Missouri where he was baptized in 1982. He enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, watching his grandsons’ sporting events, and attending farm auctions and state fairs. Duane especially loved spending time with his family. Duane passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the age of 87.

Besides his parents, Duane was preceded in death by grandson, Sam Fletcher; daughter-in-law, Cyndi Cerven; brothers, Robert Dean (Betty) Cerven and Dale Cerven; brother-in-law, Talton Hicks. Survivors include wife, Evelyn Cerven, Westboro; children, Dave Cerven, Bowling Green, Missouri, Deb (Scott) Fletcher, Tarkio, Missouri, and Darin (Mary Kate) Cerven, Blanchard, Iowa; grandchildren, Evan (Kelsey) Cerven, Seth (fiancé, Jackie Bradley) Fletcher, Jake (MacKenzie) Cerven, and Kyle Cerven; sister, Dorothy Hicks, New Market and sister-in-law, Marcia Cerven, Iowa City, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Westboro United Methodist Church, Westboro.

Open visitation begins 9:00 A.M., Monday, February 20, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 A.M., Tuesday, prior to the service.

Interment: Union Grove Cemetery, Northboro, Iowa.

Memorials: Westboro United Methodist Church, Westboro.

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

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