Duane L. Altstadt
Duane L. Altstadt, 88, died September 5, 2026, in Red Oak, Iowa, at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, with family members at his side.
Born November 8, 1937, in Omaha, Duane was the son of Leonard Altstadt and Agnes Martens- Altstadt. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Lois Altstadt-Doades; and his brother, James Altstadt.
On marrying Shirley Altstadt in 1959, Duane built a family that remained central in his life. He is survived by Shirley and by his children, Steven Altstadt, Martin Altstadt and spouse Tamara, David Altstadt, Ellen Wansor and spouse David, and Randall Altstadt. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Curtis Altstadt, Heather Altstadt, Tyesa Daisierain, Jacqueline Bostwick and spouse Preston, and Andrew Altstadt, as well as nine great-grandchildren.
Duane graduated from Omaha South High School in 1955 and continued his education at Norfolk Junior College, where he earned an associate’s degree and at Wayne State College, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in secondary education and marketing. Duane’s working life included roles as a church janitor, bowling pinsetter, Roberts Dairy supervisor, bowling writer for the Omaha World Herald and Norfolk Daily News, advertising staff member
for the Norfolk Daily News, proprietor of Burwell Bowl, tournament director, and publisher and writer of The Nebraska Bowler.
Bowling shaped much of Duane’s life and legacy. In 1978, he purchased Burwell Bowl and launched the Sandhills Matchgame scratch bowling tournament, the Queens Bowling Tournament, and The Nebraska Bowler, which he published from 1978 until 2013. During the 1980s and 1990s, he sponsored a squad in the Petersen Classic Tournament in Chicago and later worked at the tournament for several years. His honors included the Greater Omaha Bowling Association Ted Melonis Award in 2016, induction into the Greater Omaha Bowling Association Hall of Fame, the Nebraska Bowling Proprietors Association Hall of Fame, the National Bowling Writers Association Hall of Fame, and the Norfolk Bowling Hall of Fame in 1989.
An avid baseball fan, Duane wrote “Diamond Dust” for the St. Paul Phonograph Herald from 2013 until 2018 and worked as a tour guide at the Museum of Nebraska Major League Baseball. He also volunteered as a tour guide at Happy Jack Peak and Chalk Mine near Scotia.
The family expressed profound gratitude to Steve Sempeck for decades of support, laughter, and friendship.
A celebration of Duane’s life will be held at LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa on Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Duane L. Altstadt may be directed to LeRette Funeral Chapel Inc, c/o Shirley Altstadt. Those attending are invited to send or bring a personal story or memory of Duane to share.