Duane E. Otto

   Duane Elmer Otto was born on April 4, 1945, to Elmer and Myrtle (Hagedorn) Otto in Manilla, Iowa, during a blizzard. He grew up on a farm northwest of Manning and graduated from Manilla High School in 1963. After high school, he worked at the packing house until an opportunity arose for him to attend barber school.

   On October 10, 1964, Duane married Kay Frances Dalgety at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa. Together, they were blessed with two sons, Bradley in 1970 and Corey in 1975.

   Duane completed barber school in 1964 and began his career in Manilla, working for Tom Maloy. However, in 1968, at the age of 23, he was drafted into the United States Army. Later that year, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he served with the First Air Cavalry Division. He was honorably discharged on May 6, 1970.

   Following his military service, Duane purchased Frank Wagner’s barber shop in Manning and operated Duane’s Barber on Main Street for over 25 years. In the early 1970s, alongside barbering, he began farming with Peggy Bowers. In 1977, he and Kay built a home outside Manning, where he raised sows, row-cropped, and farmed with his father and uncle—all while continuing to barber.

   Over the years, Duane worked in various roles, including at AMVC in the hog nursery, the Arcadia Farmers CO-OP for five years, and later as a salesman for Manning Motor for nearly a decade until its closure. He then retired, and in 2000, he and Kay moved once again.

   Duane had a deep love for visiting with people and frequently checked on the farm to ensure things were done just right. He was incredibly proud of his service as a veteran and, along with his cousin Robert Hagedorn, participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He was a dedicated member of the V.F.W., actively serving in the Ceremonial Honor Guard, as well as a proud member of the American Legion and Zion Lutheran Church. He enjoyed poker nights with his close group of friends and never missed an episode of Gunsmoke. He also loved spending time with his sons and grandsons, especially while showing cattle together.

   Duane passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025, at UNMC having attained the age of 79 years, ten months and nine days. In addition to his parents, Elmer and Myrtle Otto; and in-laws, Dave and Selma Dalgety, Duane was preceded in death by brothers-in-law: Gary Vinke, Daryl Genzen, and Merlyn Irlbeck; nephews: Lynn Vinke, David Genzen, and Dana Genzen; Kay’s sisters: Phyllis (Ray) Ehlers, Lila (Paul) Johnson, Alice (Robert) Savage, and Donna (Ed) Madsen. 

   He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kay Otto of Manning; sons, Brad (Karol) Otto and Corey (Amber) Otto all of Manning; ten grandchildren: Kayla Dammann (significant other, Jerad Florian), Alex Dammann, Colton (Tomi) Otto, Keaton Otto, Trent Neiheisel, Brooklyn Neiheisel, Chloe Otto, Abbagail Neiheisel, Presley Otto, and Ryker Otto; four great grandchildren; Jadyn Weitl, Lane Florian, Beckett Gust and Casey Otto; sister, Joyce Vinke of Pisgah, IA; sisters-in-law, Diane Genzen and Beverly Irlbeck, both of Manning; other relatives and friends.

   Visitation with family greeting friends will be held Monday, February 17, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Ohde Funeral Home in Manning. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Military Honors to follow with burial in the Manning Cemetery in Manning.