Louise Theodora Duwe

Louise T. Duwe, 84, of Mason City, passed away on Friday, June 14, 2024, at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Good Shepherd Health Center Chapel, 302 2nd St NE, Mason City, IA, at 1:30 PM with Rev. Kent Melcher officiating. Memorials may be directed to Good Shepherd, Mason City or Opportunity Homes, Decorah.  

Louise Theodora Duwe, the daughter of Hugo Duwe and Selma Jermeland Duwe-Johnson of Postville, IA, was born in Iowa City on May 6, 1940. Louise was sociable and loved hugs, enjoyed getting up early and arriving ahead of time for events, and being independent. She always stated “I look like a movie star” after having her nails and hair done and applying lipstick and blush. Louise loved everything Elvis Presley including listening and dancing to his music and collecting memorabilia. She looked forward to her weekly bingo games so she could display and share her stuffed animal winnings. Camp Winnebago was a highlight each summer when living in Decorah along with her participation in the Special Olympics Wartburg United Sports Day. She was proud of her volunteer “job” at The Depot Outlet in Decorah. Louise had a love for spaghetti, taco pizza, French fries, both pumpkin and chocolate pie, and especially diet Pepsi. Attending church services was very important to Louise ever since she was a child, and she faithfully sat in the front row in later years close to her pastor and Cousin LeAnn singing along with familiar hymns. 

 Preceding her in death were her grandparents (including Theodore & Lena Jermeland of Ossian, IA); both parents; four sisters and one brother, Joan Sloan, Sherry Owens, Helen “Sue” Knibble, Elaine Smith, and Robert Duwe; two nephews, Michael Owens, Jr. and David Knibble; and twenty-two Jermeland cousins. 

Louise is survived by her brother-in-law, Michael Owens; several nieces and nephews; one aunt, LaVonne Benzing; one aunt-in-law, Elaine Jermeland; and twenty-six Jermeland cousins. 

Louise resided at Woodward, IA, and Decorah, IA most of her life, and the last six years at Good Shepherd in Mason City, same as her mother did the last five years of her life. 

 The family wishes to thank the numerous staff and caregivers of Louise over the years at Woodward State Hospital-School (1949-71), Winneshiek County Home (1971-84), Opportunity Homes, Inc., Decorah, IA (1984-2018), and Good Shepherd (2018-2024). Louise reveled in the loving attention she was given and even called some staff members and residents her “relatives.” A special thanks to those that helped her adjust to new environments, deal with family member loss, and cope during the COVID-19 pandemic.