- Date Of Birth: September 8, 1925
- Date Of Death: August 23, 2014
- State: Iowa
Noel Duane Hitt, 88, of rural Humeston, Iowa, passed away August 23, 2014, at his home. Duane was the son of Walter Teddy Hitt and Mary Jewel (Chapman) Hitt. He was born September 8, 1925, on a farm in Franklin Township, Clarke County, Iowa, and spent his early years in that area.
Duane attended Goshen school. His dad taught him to do carpentry when he was about eleven, a skill he used throughout his life. When he was 13 he had a long bout with rheumatic fever and had to learn to walk again after he regained his health. He attended Derby High School and especially enjoyed playing the trumpet, baseball and shop class. When he was 17, his family moved from their farm near Derby to a farm near LeRoy, where he helped his father farm. After their marriage in 1947, Duane and Reva moved to Omaha, Nebraska, so Reva could finish college and Duane drove a truck. He drove for Fairmont Foods and Coffee’s Transfer for about a year. In August of 1948, they moved back to Iowa and Duane started farming and doing carpentry work. He continued farming and doing carpentry work throughout his life, only retiring from farming about six years ago. His favorite hobby was buying farm machinery, restoring it, then using it or selling it. He also enjoyed traveling and hunting.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, nine brother-in-laws, and eight sister-in-laws.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Reva Hitt, of rural Humeston, his children: David (Kathy) Hitt of Woodburn, Steve (Kathy) Hitt of Weldon, Jim Hitt of Woodburn, Beth (Joe) Stearns of Lacona, Sheryl (Ray) Powders, Carol (Dan) Jelsma of Osceola, Carolyn (Tim) Stroup of Leon, Beverly (Norman) Skinner of Osceola, Walter (Monica) Hitt of Derby, a sister, Marilyn Watts of Chariton, brother-in-law Don (Katherine) Snook of Westport, Connecticut, grandchildren: Lea Ann (Larry) Kirscher of Osceola, Kristi (James) Shelton of Derby, Jeff Hitt of West Des Moines, Marti (Bobbie) Hitt of Lucas, Nick (Stephanie) Hitt of LeRoy, Jason (Suzie) Hitt of Derby, Tom and Revae Hitt of Woodburn, Joey (Abi) Stearns of Lihue, Hawaii, Michelle (Bob) Anderson of Anita, Rachel (Mark) Costello of Imogene, Rebekah (Kelsey) Jacob of Ames, Tim (Krisdyn) Stearns of Ames, Ernest and Peter Stearns of Lacona, Adam (Traci) Crabb of Des Moines, Jeremiah Crabb of Denver, Colorado, Angela (Fred) Rothfus of Des Moines, Travis (Heather) Jelsma of Adel, Amy Jelsma of Osceola, Merry and J.J. Stroup of Leon, Jessi (Jesse) Jones of Des Moines, Jim (Sarah) Skinner of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, Anne (Jerry) Yonker of Osceola, John Skinner of Osceola, Braden and Brooke Hitt of Derby, 36 great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Duane was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
