Obituaries : Duane Johnson

Duane Johnson, 85 from Chandler, AZ, was called to his Heavenly home on Sunday, September 28, 2025.  Duane was born on July 28, 1940 to Kenneth and Gwendolyn Johnson in Renville, MN.  Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served for four years.  On September 2, 1960 Duane married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Westby.

Duane was a force of nature and accomplished whatever he set his mind to including getting his private pilot’s license in his mid-40’s, began team penning and team roping (as a header) in his 50’s; which he continued to compete into his late 70’s.  Duane did not attend college and yet built one of the most successful real estate and auction businesses in Eastern Iowa.  Giving back to the community was important to Duane and he volunteered for many events in the area. His favorite was the FFA Labor Auction and Benton County Fair Livestock Auction. When it came to kids and animals, his heart was wide open.  And when it came to family, his last words when leaving were always “I love you”. For the past 10 years, his daughters and grandchildren always knew that a call from him every Saturday morning would be on the agenda. These weekly “check-in” calls will be missed terribly.  Duane was a true friend. If you were “in his circle of trust”, you knew he’d have your back and was known by “Cowboy” to many as that’s who he was to the core. Besides his family, Duane loved his horses and dogs, and the sport of rodeo.

Duane is survived by his wife, Marilyn, daughters, Kathy Tranel and Kristen Fox; grandchildren, Jackson Tranel, Gunner (Allison) Tranel and Elizabeth Clark as well as 3 great grandchildren; Charlotte, Tate, Rhett and soon to be born, Brynn Elaine; his sister, Donna (Mike) Becker; Sister-in-Law, Janice Westby; Brother-in-Law, Dennis Johnson; several nieces and nephews, many friends, relatives and his dog, Garnet.  Duane was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Gwendolyn Johnson, sister Dolores Johnson, brother Curtis Johnson, Father and Mother-in-Law Gilman and Ruth Westby and Brother-in-Law Bob Westby.

The family will be having a Celebration of Life at a later date.

“The last goodbyes are the hardest one to say. This is where the Cowboy rides away.”