Duane Patrick Hagerty, 58, of Dubuque, Iowa, formerly of Bankston, Iowa, passed away on Saturday December 28th, 2024, surrounded by his family in his parent’s home following a courageous battle with Renal Cell Carcinoma.
Visitation for Duane will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Reiff Funeral Home at 894 Peosta Street, Peosta, Iowa, 52068, where a prayer service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held after 9 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial for Duane at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at St. Clement Catholic Church in Bankston, Iowa with Rev. Michael Schueller presiding. Burial will follow in St. Clement’s Cemetery in Bankston.
Duane was born on June 5th, 1966, in Dubuque, IA, to Patrick and Judith (Kronlage) Hagerty. He was raised on his family’s farm near Bankston, IA. Duane first attended Farley-Bankston Catholic School before continuing his education at Western Dubuque High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1984.
He continued his education at the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, in 1988. He then attended the University of Minnesota Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 1991. Afterward, he practiced real estate law in Des Moines and Chicago. In 2010, Duane chose to follow his passion for history and architecture, shifting his career focus to historic property redevelopment. He earned a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Following his graduation, he worked in the field of historic preservation as both a consultant and, since 2015, as the President and CEO of Heritage Works, a nonprofit preservation organization based in Dubuque, Iowa. His dedication to historic preservation and education had a profound impact, benefiting not just Dubuque but the entire Tri-State area. Duane made a lasting impact for buildings he helped save, such as St. Mary’s/Steeple Square, and by inspiring others to protect and save historic structures.
He is survived by his parents, along with his siblings: Gina Hagerty of Dubuque, IA; Shari and Doug Lake of Eldridge, IA; Jill and Mike Petsche of Bankston, IA; and Dan and Karla Hagerty of Peosta, IA. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Sarah (Christopher) Costanzo; Justin (Mary) Cook and their son, Garrick, all of Westerville, OH; Alexander Cook of Florida; Carter Petsche and his friend Kasandra Keller of La Crosse, WI; Caitlin and Olivia Petsche of Bankston, IA; and Austin, Alaina, and Anna Hagerty of Peosta, IA. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Piper.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents: Louis & Madeline (Schmitt) Hagerty and Ray & Marie (Kelchen) Kronlage.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Duane’s aunts, Judy Slomkowski and Linda Chapman, his cousin Jodi Chapman, and his dear friend Chris Happ Olson, for their constant love and support to both Duane and our family during this difficult time. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care of Duane and their support to our family, especially to Kris, Buffy, and Jennie.
A Video Tribute may be viewed, and online condolences may be given to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com
