This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Van Leuven, Boden, Bray Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Eg.2ADE/546 Message Board Post: The Idaho Statesman, August 4, 2002 Duane C. Van Leuven, age 70 of New Plymouth, died Wednesday, July 31, 2002, at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Boise. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, New Plymouth, with Chad Clark and Bishop Kent Banner conducting. Burial will follow at Park View Cemetery, New Plymouth. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, New Plymouth. Duane Carey Van Leuven was born in 1932 in Clifton, Idaho. He was the youngest of five children born to Ransom Carey and Sarah Irene (Boden) Van Leuven. They ranched in Clifton until they moved to Fruitland where Duane attended school from the eighth grade through his graduation from Fruitland High School in 1950. Following graduation he farmed for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Army where he served at Ft. Ord, Calif., and in Eta Jima, Japan. After an honorable discharge in the fall of 1955, Duane returned home to resume farming. In 1957 he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Bray. Shortly after, they purchased a farm on the Payette River north of New Plymouth where they have resided for 46 years. Duane farmed independently until 1966 when he organized the farm division for American Fine Foods of Payette. He managed this division for 25 years beginning with 1600 acres that grew to 4500 acres at the time of his retirement in 1991. He served for 10 years as a commissioner for the New Plymouth Rural Fire Protection District, seven years on the Payette County Zoning Commission, 20 years on the Drainage District #2 Commission, and at the time of his death was serving as a board member of the Noble Ditch Co. Duane was always keenly interested in and involved with many irrigation-related water issues, recognizing that water was the life blood of the farming community. Politics and world events were of special interest and concern to him. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, the American Legion, the NRA, and was a Republican. Duane was blessed with a lifelong love of farming. He genuinely enjoyed his life's work. Years from now, the results of Duane's effort and vision will remain in the rich soil and level farmland he helped create from the native alkaline ground so characteristic of the area. He also liked to hunt and fish with friends such as Larry Limbaugh, Bill Wander, and Roland Henry. Foremost in his life was his family; he enjoyed spending time with them at their lake cabin at McCall, and although he suffered from failing health in the later years of his life, Duane treasured the time he spent with his family and grandchildren at home. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and a brother. Surviving are his wife, Donna; a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Jon Riedel; a son, Matthew Van Leuven; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Melinda Van Leuven; and four grandchildren, Jon, Jessica, Jacob, and Jared Riedel. Also, he is survived by one sister, Radia Neeley; and a number of nieces and nephews including nephew Valdo Talbot, a special lifelong friend. Duane struggled valiantly in his battle with pulmonary disease for the past 11 years. Many people have aided him in this battle, chief among them is Dr. Andrew C. Peterson of Ontario, Ore., to whom we extend heartfelt gratitude; it is only because of Dr. Peterson that Duane was able to fight as long as he did. We also want to thank the fine doctors and staff of the Intensive Care Unit at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center where Duane spent the last two months of his life. As a matter of personal thanks, we would like to thank Leobardo Moncad! a, who, in addition to being a special friend of Duane's, has helped the family in so many ways for the past 25 years. Duane was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His laughter, advice, and friendship will be greatly missed; he was greatly respected and loved by all that knew him. In remembrance of Duane, those who wish may make memorials to the Old Fruitland High School Community Center or the Idaho Youth Ranch, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette 83661.