Bernice Duncan

The kind and gentle spirit of 98 year old Bernice Duncan, longtime LeGrand resident, left her earthly life on the afternoon of Sunday, September 10th, at the Iowa Veterans Home where she has resided since 2013. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 14th, at the LeGrand Friends Church with Pastor Alan Mullikin officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Born on May 29th, 1919, in Osage, IA, she was the daughter of William and Ila Mae (Hickman) Moore. Later, her mother was united in marriage to Mr. Loney. She received her education in Marshalltown and graduated from the Marshalltown High School in 1937. On May 29th, 1937, she married the love of her life, Max L. Duncan, and they called LeGrand home after that. They were blessed with two children- Sandra Jean and Larry Lee Duncan. Bernice was employed as the head cook for the LeGrand Schools for 13 years and later Smittys Big Town as a bakery cook where she learned the art of cake decorating. Mrs. Duncan was a faithful member of the LeGrand Friends Church, the LeGrand Literary and Music Club, LeGrand Senior Citizens and the USFW of the church. Any day with her grandchildren was a good day. She and Max enjoyed dancing in younger years and traveling to wintertime destinations like Florida, Texas and Arizona. She was known for her cooking and baking- especially the fried chicken and lemon meringue pies, and enjoyed music and playing cards. Left to celebrate her 98 years of life are her daughter, Sandra (Darold) Nuese of Dillon, daughter-in-law Barbara Duncan of Montour; six grandchildren- Michele (Eric) Devig of Dillon, Darrin (Tracy) Nuese of Dillon, Melissa (Kelly) Madison of LeGrand, Jeff (Heather) Duncan of Gilman, Chad (Andrea) Duncan of Garwin, Timothy (Megan) Duncan of Garwin as well as 13 precious great-grandchildren and eight great-great- grandchildren. Also surviving are her sister-in-law Estella Duncan of New Orleans, LA and numerous nieces and nephews. In death, she rejoined Max, her loving husband of over 70 years, her parents, son Larry Duncan, sister Leona in infancy and half-brother, Wally Loney.