John Duenow

John Duenow

On May 27, 2015 John Duenow died following a year-long battle against pancreatic cancer. John was born in St. Ansgar, Iowa April 29, 1936, the son of Carl and Edna Duenow. He had four brothers and three sisters. 

John enjoyed music from an early age, performing in church and school events. He graduated from St. Ansgar High School in 1954. That fall, he traveled with Carol Parkinson of Le Mars, Iowa, presenting musical assembly programs for schools.

He graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in education and went on to receive his masters and masters of fine arts in music performance. He was a member of Delta Chi fraternity. 

While at the university, he met Sally Shook of Burlington, Iowa. They were married in 1959 and had three boys; Eric, Andrew and Christopher.

John had a teaching career in music which included positions in Moline, Ill.; Davenport, Iowa; Macomb, Ill. and 30 years at Eastern Washington University. He enjoyed teaching private voice lessons, opera workshops, and music theatre. He performed in opera, oratorio, music theatre and gave yearly voice recitals. 

He was part of a USO tour which traveled to Korea and Okinawa presenting the musical "Godspell." He was church choir director and worked with Lutheran Women in Harmony and other musical groups both in Spokane and Mesa, Ariz. where they spent many winters.

In 1975, John and Sally were instrumental in starting Lutheran Marriage Encounter and presented encounter weekends throughout the U.S.

John was active in Emmanuel Lutheran church in Cheney and Advent Lutheran in Spokane Valley. In 2000 they moved to Liberty Lake for their retirement. There he was a member and treasurer of the Liberty Lake Kiwanis. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, Sally, three sons, four grandchildren, two brothers, one sister and numerous nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at Advent Lutheran Church. Suggested memorials: Lutheran Community Services of Spokane or Pancreatic Cancer on line (PanCan.org).