1935-2026
Kassen “Kass” Franklin Duis, 90, son of Harb and Anna (Groot) Duis, was born Feb. 14, 1935, near Emmetsburg. He passed away Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids.
Kass graduated from Cylinder High School in 1953. On March 20, 1960, he married Karen Kay Flick at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg. Kass enlisted into the United States Navy in 1963 serving until 1967. He was stationed in Coronado, California. Following his honorable discharge, Kass and Karen returned to Iowa, making their home for a short time in Laurens and then Manson. They then moved to several locations in the Des Moines Metro area. Kass worked as a computer programmer during this time. In the mid 1980s, they moved to Panora, and he opened up Duis DX station and operated this for the next 10-15 years before retiring.
Kass enjoyed coaching his sons when they were young. He also enjoyed being with his family and was a big baseball fan.
He was a member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Panora and the Panora Lions Club.
He is survived by his sons, Kevin (Terri) Duis of Des Moines and Kurt (Mindy) Duis of Panora; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey (Stephanie) Duis, Abbie (Sam) Zager, Tucker (Cara) Duis, Kooper Duis, Anna (Chase) Heithoff, Drake Duis and Rachel Duis; four great-grandchildren, Dominic and Gianna Zager, Flynn and Tatum Duis; and brother, Martin (Shirley) Duis of Spencer. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Karen; and 16 brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Panora. Burial will then take place at 12:30 p.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter. Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora.