Earl Wertz

Earl "Duane" Wertz, 87, of Burnside, Iowa, passed away suddenly on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at the Lehigh United Methodist Church. Rev. Dennis Shepherd will officiate. Burial will be at West Lawn Cemetery in Lehigh. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Carson - Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton.

Earl Duane Wertz was born on March 13, 1925, in Lehigh, Iowa, the son of Earl and Mae (Dutcher) Wertz. He grew up in the Evanston and Lehigh area where he helped his father farm. Duane attended schools in Evanston and Fort Dodge.

On May 5, 1948, Duane was united in marriage to Betty May Irish in Evanston. To this union two children were born: Roseann and Steven.

After their marriage, Duane and Betty lived in Webster County, Iowa, for several years. In the early 1950's they moved to Norway, Iowa, where Duane farmed for the next 11 years. The couple returned to Webster County in 1965, and farmed in the Lehigh area. In 1990, Duane and Betty moved to Burnside where Duane continued farming until retiring in 1992.

Duane was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lehigh. He also belonged to the Golden Memories Sr. Citizens and the Lehigh Lion's Club. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends.

Among the survivors are his wife of 64 years, Betty Wertz of Burnside, Iowa; daughter, Roseann (Tim) Knutson of Muskego, Wisconsin; son, Steve Wertz of St. Paul, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Brinda Terzich and Tenille (Brian) Goodhue; four great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and one sister, Bonnie Wertz of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

His parents, and one brother, Harley Wertz preceded him in death.

Memorials may be left to either: the Lehigh United Methodist Church or to the discretion of the family.