Obituary for Duane Robert Rinderknecht

Duane Robert Rinderknecht entered into eternal glory on July 18, 2025, at the age of 90. Duane was born on June 30, 1935, to Clarence and Esther (Vaverka) Rinderknecht. After graduating from Wilson High School, he enlisted into the United States Navy. Duane completed his theology degree at Concordia Theological Seminary and education degree at the University of Iowa. He completed 31 years of public service in the Marion School District as a middle school math and science teacher. In 1962, Duane and Shirley Held were married and raised three children: Teresa, Jeffrey, and Larry. In 1993, Duane and Dorothy (Day) Boehmke were married and celebrated 31 years of marriage.

Duane was a gentleman of many interests. Throughout the years, Duane loved visiting and hiking in national parks in the United States and also traveled into Canada and Mexico. He loved fishing and spent many years hunting pheasants and deer in the timber near Decorah. Biking along the trails of the Root River Valley in Minnesota was often a highlight. Duane was a member of the Cedar Valley Woodcarvers Club, and carved lovely ducks, birds, fish, caricatures, and other special projects beautifully displayed in his home. Each grandchild received a specially carved ornament at Christmas.

As a lifelong learner of the Bible, faith was very important to Duane. He faithfully attended and served at St. John’s Lutheran, Faith Lutheran, Resurrection Lutheran, and Calvary Community Churches. He loved to teach classes on Sunday mornings and enjoyed gathering at small group meetings during the week. Some of his carvings and personal library reflected the Word of God and the importance of sharing his faith. Duane’s confirmation verse was embodied in his life to “…be faithful, even to the point of death, and I [God] will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10b).

Duane was preceded in death by his father and mother, and sister Darlene Rose Rinderknecht. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Rinderknecht. He is survived by his daughter, Teresa (Dennis) Paulsen, and sons Jeffrey and Larry Rinderknecht.  He is also survived by his stepchildren: Mark Boehmke, Sarah (Craig) Johnson, and Holly Boehmke. He loved being a grandfather to Andrew and Brett Paulsen; Hannah (Johnson) and Garrison Hazen, Noah and Michaela Johnson, Jonah and Micah Johnson; Zaidin, Devin, and Roen Boehmke, Xuxa and Zsa Zsa Zangerle. He will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 10:30 am at Calvary Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A luncheon for visiting family and friends will follow the service.  A committal service will be held at 2:00pm at the Czech National Cemetery with military honors.

Memorials may be made to the family of Dorothy Rinderknecht. Flowers may be sent to Calvary Community Church.