Duane Hoffman

Duane “Duey” Hoffman, 72, of Waterloo, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at his winter home in Mesa, AZ.

Duane was born August 11, 1953, at District One Hospital in Faribault, MN, son of Laverne and Ivagine (Lembke) Hoffman.

Duane graduated from Morristown (MN) High School in 1971. While in high school he lettered in both basketball and baseball. After high school he went to Mankato State to become a chef. He worked as a chef for one year before joining his brother in Waterloo in 1973 to work at Ripka and Sons Trenching.

In February 1976, alongside his brother Dave, they founded Hoffman & Hoffman Trenching, Inc. in Waterloo, Iowa. Together, the brothers and their crews helped to bring underground utilities, cable, and internet services to the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area. Duane retired in July of 2020 and was proud to be a part of the upcoming celebration of 50 years in business for Hoffman & Hoffman Trenching.

In April of 1976, Duane was united in marriage to Donna Ramsey. Together they raised two daughters, built two successful businesses, and enjoyed 50 years together. Duane and Donna loved to travel whether it was in their campers, to Mexico, or spending time together at their winter home in Arizona. Those that knew them best know how much they loved to tease each other and laugh together. They shared many, many inside jokes over the years. Duane loved the years he and Donna owned the campground and especially loved being a conductor on the train rides he gave to the kids in the park.

As a dad, Duane was the kind of father that would do anything for his girls. He was the kind of dad that didn’t say much, but when he did, his words were always full of wisdom. He loved to play with his girls when they were little whether it was board games in the winter or fishing at the family cabin in the summer. He taught his girls all about football and many texts went on between them when the Hawks played on Saturdays. He loved to laugh with his girls and always had a joke ready to tell them.

Nothing made Duane happier than when he became a Grandpa. He never met a toy store he didn’t like and spoiled both his girls and his grandkids rotten. He loved to play with his grandkids and support them in their activities as they grew. He also took great pleasure at sneaking the grandkids candy when their moms were looking the other way!

Duane loved sports and sharing that passion with his brother and his kids. In 1977 Dave and Duane teamed up to win the ASA state softball championship and played together on teams for 15 years. In 2005 Duane was honored to be inducted into the Iowa Softball Hall of Fame alongside his brother. In later years you could often find the brothers going to NASCAR races, UNI basketball and Iowa football games.

Duane never met a stranger and took time to talk to everyone he met. He loved to hear people’s stories and share his as well. He had the biggest, sweet tooth and always had a bowl of candy on hand.

Duane was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend and will be cherished and missed by many, especially his family. Thank you, Duane, for the good, good memories. We know we will hear you cheering loudly this fall for your beloved Hawkeyes.

Duane is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Donna; his daughters and son-in-law’s Jennifer and Ryan Meyering of Austin, TX and Jackie and Jeremy Epperson of Urbandale, IA as well as 5 grandchildren; Claire, Isabelle, and Samuel Snyder and Mason and Avery Epperson. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Dave and Karen Hoffman, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Daryl and Beverly Abbott as well as his niece and nephews, Kacie Hoffman and Nick and Rachael Hoffman and Daren Abbott and great-nephew Weston Hoffman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dennis, parents-in-law Bill and Margaret Ramsey, and his special niece Denean Abbott.

A celebration of life for Duane will be held on Friday, March 27th from 2-4pm at Locke at Tower Park 4140 Kimball Ave.

Please bring your best “Duey” stories as we say goodbye to him and send him out in a way that honors him best with love, laughter, and good memories.

Locke at Tower Park is assisting the family, 319-233-3146. www.LockeFuneralServices.com