Duane "Knobby" F. Van Vooren

Duane “Knobby” F. Van Vooren, 83, of Atkinson, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Hammond Henry Hospital – Long Term Care Facility.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023.  Father S. Stephen Engelbrecht will celebrate.  Cremation rites will be accorded following the service, with inurnment at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Atkinson Chapel.  A Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 3:30 p.m., prior to the visitation at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed, in honor of Duane, to the American Cancer Society – Russell and Ann Gerdin Hope Lodge, 750 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA  52246.

Duane was born February 3,1940, the son of Frank J. “Dobber” and Arlene (VanOpDorp) Van Vooren, in Geneseo, IL.  He graduated from Atkinson High School, class of 1958.  He served in the United States National Guard, and later attended St. Ambrose University.  On February 27, 1960, he married Kathryn Jane Nowers in a service held at Kewanee Visitation Catholic Church.  She proceeded him in death on January 24, 2022.  He owned and operated The Barn restaurant, until his retirement.  Duane was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church.  He enjoyed fishing, attending auctions (both online and in person), golfing – even making a hole-in-one on #14 at Oakwood County Club, going out to the rural Annawan Van Vooren Cabin, watching Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball, and dining out with family and friends.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Robin (Thomas) Burrell of Goodyear, AZ, Perry (Laura) Van Vooren of Baroda, MI, and Jospeh (Monica) Van Vooren of Bettendorf, IA; grandchildren, Vincent Van Vooren, Grace Van Vooren, Kristine Taylor, and Robert Chiarelli; great-grandchild, Jacob Taylor; sisters, Bonnie (Ron) Obrecht of Geneseo and Mary Kay (Jerry) Franks of Atkinson, sister-in-law, Beth Van Vooren of Atkinson; and several nieces and nephews.

Duane “Knobby” was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Arlene Van Vooren; his loving wife, Kathryn Van Vooren; brother, Dr. Tom Van Vooren; and grandson, Jason Burrell.