Duane C. Freking

Duane C. Freking, 94, of Davenport, passed away peacefully at home on May 13, 2025. Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 19, 2025 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed by clicking the following link: St. Paul the Apostle Facebook. Visitation will be held from 9 until 10:30 a.m. in the gathering space at St. Paul’s with a luncheon following the service. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at St. Bridget’s Cemetery, Solon, Iowa.

Duane Charles Freking was born on July 3, 1930 in LeMars, Iowa, to Aloysius and Anna (Klontz) Freking. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and later earned an engineering degree from South Dakota State University through the GI Bill. Duane was united in marriage to Edna L. Cahill on February 2, 1963 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Davenport. She preceded him in death on March 24, 2014 following 51 years of marriage.

Duane began his career at Oscar Mayer and Mast Development as an industrial engineer before going on to work at the Rock Island Arsenal where he retired in December of 1988. Following his retirement, he worked at Handicapped Development Center, teaching clients in their shop. He also co-owned the Robert Rote Company, a general machine shop in Rock Island.

A longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 532, Duane regularly volunteered, helping with breakfasts, dinners and the Grid Club. He also was a Scout Master and softball coach when his kids were younger and never missed an opportunity to support them in their activities.

In his early years, he helped build two homes on the Illinois side of the river and was a true craftsman and inventor, holding two patents. Duane spent many hours in his basement crafting and designing many treasures in wood and metal and passed on that love to his children and grandchildren. Duane was also an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and was proud that all five of his children received degrees from the University of Iowa.

Those left to honor his memory are his children: Donald (Cindy) Freking, Canton, Georgia, John (Hong-Yan) Freking, Luoyang, China, Teresa Freking, Davenport, Mary Beth (Arthur) Eggers, Rapids City, Illinois, and Laurie Freking, Royal Oaks, Michigan; grandchildren: Walter Eggers, Benjamin Freking, and Candice (Matt) Latini–Scout; a sister, Liz Merritt, Parker, Colorado; sisters-in-law: Melitta Freking, Springfield, Arkansas and Nancy Cahill, Cedar Rapids, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Duane was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Everoul Freking, Clayton Freking, Joan Siegrist, Emmett Freking, and Aloysius Freking.

Memorials may be made to Friends of St. Bridget’s, Columbus Club, or St. Paul the Apostle. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.