May 23, 1937 ~ April 10, 2026
Duane Cleade Stanton age 88 of New Hampton, IA, died Friday April 10, 2026, at MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton with Rev. Cory Orr officiating.
Interment will be held at the New Hampton City Cemetery, with Rod Hanawalt, Bob Holschlag, Randy Schluetter, Jake Bucknell, Seth Stanton, and Levi Stanton serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Mick Gage, Ron Flick, Logan Knecht, Dave Swemenson, Steve Angell, and Jeff Schluetter.
Friends are invited to greet the family from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton. Visitation continues one hour before services at the funeral home on Friday.
Duane Cleade Stanton, age 88, of New Hampton, Iowa, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, in New Hampton, Iowa. He was born on May 23, 1937, in Austin, Minnesota, the son of Wayne and Opal (Heiny) Stanton. His early years laid the foundation for the steady, hardworking man he would grow to be. Duane lived a life marked by kindness, skill, and a sincere devotion to the people and places he loved.
Duane earned his education at Lyle High School in Lyle, Minnesota. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and served for two years before being moved to active duty. He was sent to Fort Gordon, Georgia, for signal school, where he graduated as a lineman and electrician. Duane was honorably discharged, carrying with him the discipline, responsibility, and practical expertise that would serve him well throughout his life. He was a man who could fix what was broken, solve what was complicated, and do so with a calm and capable spirit that others came to rely on.
Duane was introduced to Marilyn Boerjan, and the two quickly fell in love. They were married in 1956 and built a life together rooted in devotion, hard work, and family. To this union, four children were born: Monty, Cindy, Jim, and Chuck, and together they created a home filled with love, purpose, and lasting memories. The couple eventually moved to the New Hampton area to raise their children, and it was there that Duane began Stanton Electric, offering services for anything electrical. Through determination and a strong work ethic, he proudly ran Stanton Electric from 1971 until his retirement in 2020, providing excellent service to Northeast Iowa for nearly five decades.
Duane was a Christian man whose faith was reflected in the way he lived his life. He was passionate about his community and spent much of his time and talent making New Hampton and the surrounding communities better. He believed in showing up, lending a hand, and doing what needed to be done. His contributions reached far beyond his business, as he gave generously of his time and energy to causes and people who benefited from his steady presence and practical wisdom. He was the kind of man others could count on, and he carried himself with humility and purpose.
He was an active member of the Chickasaw Rescue Squad and served as the crew chief of the Chickasaw Ambulance service for 23 years. That service reflected the depth of his commitment to helping others in times of need. Duane was handy, passionate, and friendly, and those qualities were evident in every part of his life. Whether he was working on an electrical project, responding to an emergency, or offering guidance to someone in need, he approached each task with dedication and care. His reliability and willingness to serve left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Duane was also an avid outdoorsman who loved the land and found joy in spending time in nature. He especially treasured fishing with his family on annual trips to Minnesota and Canada, and he could often be found in the early mornings in a goose blind, waiting for the sun to rise. He made it a point to pass on his love of nature and conservation to any young people who were interested in the great outdoors. Duane and Marilyn also loved spending time at their cabin together, and they could often be seen touring the countryside with no particular destination in mind, simply enjoying one another’s company and the beauty around them.
Duane will be remembered for his strong hands, generous heart, and unwavering devotion to family, faith, and community. He lived a life of purpose and service, and his legacy remains in the many lives he touched through his work, his kindness, and his example.
Duane is survived by his wife, Marilyn Stanton of New Hampton, IA; four children, Monty (Betty) Stanton of Milltown, WI, Cindi (Darrell) Knecht of Elma, IA, Jim (Annette) Stanton of Dunkerton, IA, and Chuck (Marla) Stanton of New Hampton, IA; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Eleanor Hollerud of Austin, MN, and Dorothy Beyer of New Hampton, IA; along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Brooke Stanton; one sister, Barbara (Jack) Chapman; one sister-in-law, Donna Chance; four brothers-in-law, Delbert Beyer, Robert Chance, Kenneth Hollerud, and Jack Chapman; and one nephew, Michael Chance.
Memorials to the family to be distributed to Duane’s favorite organizations
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