Lester G. Duff

Monday, March 2, 2020 5:51 pm

Lester G. Duff, 97, of Decorah, died Friday evening, Feb. 21, 2020, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with Rev. Stacey Nalean – Carlson officiating. Burial was in Freeport Cemetery with military honors. Visitation began Wednesday at 10 a.m. one hour before the service, at Fjelstul Funeral Home.

Lester Gordon Duff, known to all as Bud, was born Jan. 19, 1923, in Decorah, near Freeport, the son of Nels and Hazel (Hummel) Duff. He was educated in Winneshiek County country schools.

Bud served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was inducted Jan. 27, 1943. He was assigned to the 546th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion and attached to the 65th Infantry Division. After the fighting ended, he was assigned to the 961st Engineer Maintenance Company from December 1945 until his honorable discharge Feb. 2, 1946. As an Army anti-aircraft gunner he fought in Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, Central Europe and participated in the march on Paris. He was awarded three Overseas Service Bars, one Service Stripe, the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Bud was awarded the Bronze Star medal, for meritorious service in connection with military operations during July 14, 1944 to May 1945.

After returning home, Bud was a mechanic in Decorah with his brother Dick. They operated a garage on Mill Street for many years. The garage eventually closed, and an apartment building was constructed in its place. In retirement Bud loved Ford Thunderbirds, buying a new one every three or four years, or when the style changed. He also enjoyed fishing on the Mississippi River with his brother George. He took great pride in providing the fish for the annual family fish fry. He liked to hunt ginseng, draw and doodle, and play cards. He was very proud of his artwork. Bud was active in the Helof Holm Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1977, as well as the Disabled American Veterans Hamre-Giesen Chapter No. 8 in Decorah.

He was awarded an Honorary High School Diploma in 2009 by the 78th Iowa General Assembly “in recognition of military service to Iowa and the United States of America during World War II.”

Bud became a resident of Aase Haugen Home in August 2011.He could be seen almost daily at a table near the dining room playing cards.

Bud is survived by one brother, John (Lois) Duff of Alva, Fla.; two sisters-in-law, Lola Duff of Decorah and Mary Jane McArthur of Lehigh Acres, Fla. He had a large extended family of nieces and nephews who all knew him as the fun uncle. He will be missed by all of us.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Dorothy, Sara and Doris; four brothers: Richard, Frank and Clarence Duff, and George McArthur; and one half-brother, Floyd Newton. Frank Duff was killed in action during World War II at Normandy, France. Dale Duff died in fancy. Another brother was stillborn.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah served the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.