Duane Fort

Duane Fort, 93, of Sac City passed away on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City.

Duane Elwood Fort was born on July 18, 1929, to parents Clark and Gladys (Smeeton) Fort in Sac City. The family lived on a farm north of Sac City. He attended country school and later Sac City High School, graduating with the class of 1947. After high school, Duane attended Iowa State University for two years where he was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

On Oct. 2, 1949, Duane married Wilma Ruth Herold at United Methodist Church in Sac City. This union was blessed with four children: Patrice, Clark, Greg and Brian. Duane worked as an insurance agent at IDT before joining Colburn & Son Insurance Agency in Sac City, which is where he worked until retiring in 1994 as a partner. Through the years, Duane also farmed and raised livestock. In fact, a monkey was once added to the family after Patrice talked Duane into it on a trip home from the orthodontist. That monkey enjoyed a whole day at the Fort home before Wilma said he’s got to go! All of the kids have so many great memories of growing up on the farm.

Duane was a member of First Christian Church growing up, which is where he was baptized and confirmed. Later as a member of the Methodist Church, he sang in the choir and held many offices. He and Wilma were active and devoted members. Duane was equally active in the community. He served on the school board, Sac Country Club board, Sac Farmers Mutual Insurance board, volunteered at the museum, and headed up Sac City’s Community Chest for many years.

In his free time, Duane enjoyed golf and won the club championship multiple times. He was also a men’s and mixed league bowler for many years. He owned and operated Indian Lanes Bowling Alley back in the sixties for several years. He liked taking fishing trips to Canada and the kids got to take turns going along. He enjoyed hunting pheasant and quail and was a member of the Sac Gun Club. Duane often spoke about the fond memories he had of his trips to Florida as a child to visit his grandparents. He liked playing cards, especially poker. He and Wilma played cards with the Pitch Club. The couple loved to dance. They attended many dances over the years at places like The Cobblestone and Lakewood Ballroom, dancing the swing step.

In retirement, Duane went to morning coffee daily. Most recently, it was held at the Sac Community Rec Center. He thoroughly enjoyed meeting every morning with his friends and fellow community members to catch up on all that was happening. He adored Sac City and gave so much of his life to making it a great place to live and will never be forgotten for having done so.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. May he rest in God’s beautiful paradise, free of pain forever.

Duane leaves behind to cherish his memory his children: Patrice Gonzales of Las Vegas, Nev.; Clark (Svitlana) Fort of Storm Lake; Greg Fort of Lexington, Ky.; and Brian (Sue) Fort of Ankeny; grandchildren: Heather Drentlaw, Melissa Thomas, Sasha Stevenson, Isabella Fort, Tracy Ashley, David Henrich, Kirby Lewton, Hilary Johnson and Garrett Fort; 10 great-grandchildren; many extended family members and friends.

Duane was preceded in death by his wife Wilma Fort; parents, Clark and Gladys Fort; sister Marcene (Richard) Amick; sisters-in-law: Phyllis (Channing) Conger and Drucilla (Robert) Rix; nephews: David, Dennis and Mike Rix; and niece Cheryl Conger.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Unity Church South Campus, with Reverend Missy Erickson officiating. Following the service will be a luncheon and time of fellowship at Sac Country Club in Sac City. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Sac City has been entrusted with caring for Duane and his family.

Donations made in lieu of flowers will be used to honor Duane's memory by gifting to the Sac Community Rec Center as well as the Sac City Museum.