Richard ‘Dicky’ Duitsman

Jun 8, 2023

ARMSTRONG — Richard "Dicky" Duitsman died Monday, June 5, 2023, at Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, Iowa, at the age of 79 years. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2023, at Henry Olson Funeral Home in Armstrong. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, June 10, 2023, at United Methodist Church in Swea City, Iowa, with Pastor Todd Hartsock as Officiant. He will be laid to rest at Armstrong Grove Cemetery, Armstrong, Iowa. Military honors by Weiby-Johnson VFW Post 5232 of Armstrong.

Richard "Dicky" Lee Duitsman was born April 30, 1944, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the son of Hillis and Dorothy (Holtorf) Duitsman. Dicky enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1963 and was honorably discharged in 1969. He was a seaman's apprentice on the USS Whetstone. After returning from the service, he lived in Armstrong and Swea City, working for Art's Way, Rim and Wheel, City of Armstrong and Laubenthal Chicken Processing. Dicky married Wendy Work on Dec. 18, 1976, and to this union three children were born: Emily, Corey and Anita. In his free time, Dicky enjoyed walking, (he even hitchhiked to almost every state in the US) music, especially Willie Nelson, he loved art and coloring, and spending time with his family. He went to Woodstock, enjoyed fishing and telling stories of his travels. Dicky was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

Dicky is survived by his wife, Wendy; children, Emily (Troy) Meyer, Corey (Cassie aka Cathy Engelkes) and Anita (Sam) Albright; granddaughter, Violet Albright; special "adopted" daughter, Jerica Hamilton; his fur baby, Woo; siblings, Helen Rose, Jeanne Gettler, Kenny Duitsman and Bill Duitsman; sister-in-law, Mary Duitsman; and a special niece, Lorri Prendergast. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hillis and Dorothy (Holtorf) Duitsman; mother-and father-in-law; brothers, Ray, Leroy, Fred, Gordon and Don; and his sisters, Iris, Carol, Dolores and Violet. Online condolences may be left for Dicky's family at henryolsonfuneral.com.