Duane Shannon Clink

Duane Shannon Clink, former resident of Pella, Iowa, died Friday, November 21, 2014, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Duane was born in Montrose, Pennsylvania on November 17, 1945. He spent his childhood years in Middleburgh, New York, and later served as a member of the U.S. Navy, stationed in Hawaii. Duane met and married his true love, JoAnn Williamson, in Pella, Iowa, where they built a life together for over 30 years before moving to Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Duane was an electrician for several companies, including International Harvester, Armstrong Tire Company and 3M. He thoroughly enjoyed his career at 3M, making many life-long friends. Duane had a creative mind and was always inventing or tinkering with something. While living in Pella, Duane and JoAnn raised three children, Peggy, Jennifer and Betsy, who were the focal point of his life. Duane enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He and JoAnn loved to ride bikes and rode trails all over Iowa and in Canada. He experienced a great deal of physical ailments and pain most of his life. With the love of his family and many friends, he fought hard through the pain to make a life worth living. Duane even joked about setting a record for the number of surgeries he had to endure. He had a boisterous, joyous laugh that he shared with all. An animal lover all of his life, Duane raised, trained, and loved many animals. He and his dog, Babe (see picture), were involved in the Tales of Joy R.E.A.D. Program since 2012, helping children learn to read and bringing smiles to all they encountered. He also volunteered for many years for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children), a program to aid foster children, in Iowa and New Mexico. Duane is survived by his wife, JoAnn, of Rio Rancho, NM; his three daughters and their families: Peggy and Brett Johnston of Tucson, AZ; Jennifer Clink and Shawn Moriarty of Lafayette, CO, and their son, Aiden; Betsy and Robin Candler of Berkeley, CA, and their daughters, Lucy and Emma; siblings, Carole Klingbeil of MD; Penelope Holmes of MD; Phillip Clink and wife, Charlene, of NM; Wendy Stevens of IA; and Margaret Clink of NY; brother in law, James Williamson and wife, Norma, of IA, and sister-in-law Nettie Freeborn of IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Phyllis Clink; sister, Nancy Clink; and his special mother-in-law, Lila Elizabeth Williamson. Memorial contributions may be made to Tales of Joy R.E.A.D. Program. Mailing Address: Duane Clink Memorial, c/o Theresa McKinney, 480 Littler Dr. SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Checks should be made payable to Duane Clink Memorial. A celebration of his life will be held in the spring. Please visit our online guestbook for Duane at FRENCH - Rio Rancho 1950 Pine Rd NE Rio Rancho, NM 87144 (505)338-2000