Zella Duchman

Zella M. Duchman, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away on Friday, the 29th of January 2021, at the age of 95.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Glen “Duke” Duchman; parents, Mary and Joseph Mathias; brothers, Charles Mathias and Bud Mathias; and sisters, Fern Lapsley, Mary Scott, Eileen Oltmans and Aleta Cohrs.

She is survived by her sister, Lois Beaver in Chesterfield, VA; sons, Dan Duchman (Tracey Lorenz) of Council Bluffs, IA, Loren Duchman (Connie) in Cedar Falls, IA and Stanley Duchman (Lisa) in Houston, TX; and daughters, Jan Redick (William) in Omaha, NE, Bonita Richards (Jim) in Sunrise Beach, MO, Glenda Kibat (Michael) in Minneapolis, MN; and her “German Son”, Hans Schlegel (Heike) in Houston, TX; her grandchildren, John Redick, Melinda Harris (Lance), Becky Duchman (Travis Goddard), Erin Lorenz (Garrett Campbell), Brenna Duchman, Kyle Duchman (Julia), Bryce Duchman (Emily), Allison Duchman, Jeffrey Elgan (Liz), Chris Elgan, Natalie Simmons (Ben) and Daniel Kibat; her great grandchildren, Abigail, Summer, William, James, Lucy, Charlotte, Will, Grace, Hallie, Reagan, Isabelle, Jeb, Joel and Eloise.

Zella was born in McClelland. IA and graduated from Underwood High School with the 1942 Class. She was a member of the McClelland Skating Club. She received the degrees of the Order of the Rainbow in 1943. Following her graduation from the Omaha Business School, she was employed at Fairmont Creamery in Omaha. She was a homemaker for several years prior to working at Thriftway Lumber Company. She was proud to call Lewis Township her home and in 1971 began her employment with the Lewis Central School District as Activities Secretary. In 1995, she was elected to the Lewis Central School Board District 4. In 2017, she was inducted into the Lewis Central Educational Foundation Hall of Fame.

She was happiest when she was home planting flowers and working in her yard. The entire family would like to thank the countless amazing extended families, neighbors and friends for their undying support throughout her life. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Ridgewood Cemetery in Council Bluffs.


Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Friday, February 26, 2021.
Private Family Funeral Service will be held at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Saturday, February 27, 2021.
Memorials are suggested to the Zella Duchman Scholarship Fund, 4121 Harry Langdon Blvd, CB, 51503 or Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church, 2650 Farnam St, Omaha, 68131.