Michael Edward Duesing

Michael Edward Duesing, 62, of DeWitt, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 31, 2026.  Mike is the son of Edward and Linda Duesing of DeWitt.  He was born on February 24, 1964 in Rantoul, Illinois at Chanute Air Force Base.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 8, 2026 in the funeral home, the Rev. Neil Harrison officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt.

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Mike graduated from Central DeWitt High School in 1984 and was a familiar face as an employee of several businesses in DeWitt, including Bowman’s Maid Rite, Martha’s Café, The Candlelight Restaurant, Springbrook Country Club, and the Referral Center.  He was a proud employee of Iowa Mutual Insurance Company for 18 years and was renowned for vacuuming over 150 acres every year.  Mike spent many winters in Ohio visiting his sister’s family, where he enjoyed volunteering at Canal Winchester High School during lunch periods, making many friends there as well.  Mike was known for his infectious smile, and he was always happy to be at work.

Mike loved Star Trek and his siblings made sure he saw every new movie when it was released.  He loved old shows like M*A*S*H, Sanford & Son, The Brady Bunch, and I Dream of Jeannie.  He could recite facts about the actors, characters, story lines, and original release dates.  He enjoyed bowling, dartball, and swimming. He competed many years at the Iowa Special Olympics state competition. 

Mike and his brother-in-law, Rick, were “partners in crime” since their high school days and had a full repertoire of inside jokes between them.  Many times, Darin & Rick would ask Mike who was his favorite brother-in-law and Mike, always the diplomat, would say “Are you trying to get me in trouble?!”.  Or they’d try to get him to say something to his Mom,  inappropriate of course, and he’d say “I can’t say that to my mother!”

Mike was a creature of habit and his family’s schedules revolved around him.  He was up at the same time every day and had his morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner at the same time every day.  Never, ever try to mess with his nighttime shower before bed.  Even if he had showered during the day, he was taking his bedtime shower, and even if the family had been out very late or once when the power went out, that shower was happening before he climbed in on his clean sheets. 

Mike liked to eat, almost anything.  He hated soup, but if you gave it another name, like stew or casserole, he was good to go.  Liver and onions was renamed steak and onions.  He would eat it but the look on his face at that first bite was classic!  But he wasn’t going to argue with Mom.  His favorite treat was a hot fudge sundae at Smilee’s.

Mike may have been limited in his intellectual abilities, but he made full use of everything he had.  He loved people and was a devoted friend.  He was very proud to be the eldest sibling and took his role seriously.  If he could help someone, he was in seventh heaven.  He was very dedicated to any job he might have, paid or volunteer.  He decided on his own to help in the church kitchen during fellowship hour, but only after making sure everything was cleaned up in the sanctuary.  He could hardly wait for laundry to come out of the dryer so he could get to folding, and if it was on the clothesline it came down at 2 pm on the dot. 

Many times in recent years when someone would stop to talk to Mike, he didn’t remember them, but they never knew it.  He would grin and greet them, and when asked who that was, he always said “MY FRIEND!”.  

Mike taught his family and friends so much without even knowing he was doing it.  His hard work, helpfulness, positive attitude, smiling face, and fierce love for his family and friends are an example for all of us to live by.

Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hazel Ballein, Arthur Weis, and Harvey and Helen Duesing; and a niece, Jaylinn Duesing.  Mike is survived by his parents; sisters, Susan (Rick) Haack and Sara (Darin) Suhr of DeWitt; and brother Mark (Elise) Duesing of Wildwood, Florida.  He is also survived by his nieces, Ashley (Lucas) Wendl, Mallory Haack, Dr. Lauren Haack (Marshall Verbsky), Andrea Suhr, Erin Suhr (fiancé Hunter Mettille), and Kaytlinn (Adam) Barr; nephews, Matthew, Maxwell, and Mitchell Duesing; as well as four great nephews, four great nieces and many beloved extended family, housemates, aides, and dear friends.

The family would like to thank Imagine The Possibilities for making Mike a member of their family and taking such excellent care of him, and the MercyOne Genesis Hospice team for their support during this time.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Down Syndrome Achieves (Dublin, Ohio), the National Down Syndrome Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or a favorite charity.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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