Duane Kluting

Duane Kluting, husband, father, son, brother and friend, passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 75, after a brief illness. He remained positive, filled with hope and the Holy Spirit, and ready for more of life’s joys, challenges and responsibilities when he passed. Duane grew up on the centennial family farm in Wright Township and lived his adult life with his wife and children in Grand Rapids and Walker. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Audrey (Duckart), his father Frederick “Fritz” Kluting, his brother Dick Kluting, his brother-in-law Donald Duckart, and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, and other loved ones. He is survived and will be lovingly remembered by his mother Agatha (who turns 100 soon); his son Steve (Kelly) Kluting; his daughter Kimberly (Mark) Wittkoski; his grandchildren Abigail, Emma and Owen Wittkoski; his siblings Norm (Bernie), Gary (Charlotte), Diane (Kevin) Lindberg, Chuck, and Cheryl Miller. In addition, he is survived by his Wisconsin in-laws (Bob and Molly Duckart, and Nancy Duckart), many nieces and nephews, and other relatives. Duane lived a life of commitment to family, faith, and service to others. He was the kindest, most trust-worthy and generous person that many of us have ever known – always willing to share his time, his talents, his advice and his positive approach to life and faith. Although long retired from his professional roles in accounting at Seidman & Seidman (BDO), Herman Miller, and X-Rite, he remained a very busy man as so many people and projects interested him. He loved woodworking (in particular building toy barns for the young children that were born into his extended circle of family and friends), travel (including “trips of a lifetime” with Audrey to the Holy Land and with his children and grandchildren to the Vatican and on safari in East Africa), and convertible rides (his favorite being a Slurpee run with Audrey). He was dedicated to serving his parish – Holy Spirit Catholic Church – and to the Grand Rapids Catholic Diocese, in leadership roles on several boards, initiatives and campaigns. He spent more than a decade in furthering the mission of Lori’s Voice and shared his business acumen and judgment as a member of the board of directors of Meritage Hospitality since 2005. And, at the time of his passing, and in pursuit of his lifetime passion – Catholic education – he was Chairman of the School Board at Grand Rapids West Catholic High School, supporting that institution in so many of its on-going initiatives. All of that never got in the way of him spending time with his mother and siblings – over coffee at the Farm on an-almost daily basis, or in supporting his children and their spouses in all of their life endeavors, and in particular in being a best friend to his grandchildren, who adored him. He made everyone whose lives he touched feel special, and there will always be a special place in all our hearts for him as we grieve his death. Arrangements for Duane’s funeral are: visitation at Arsulowicz Bros (on Remembrance Rd) on March 10th from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-9:00. Funeral at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Tuesday March 11th at 11:00, with visitation one hour prior. Luncheon to follow, along with gravesite burial at 2:30 at the cemetery at St Joe’s in Wright. In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to make a donation to the Kluting Family Scholarship at West Catholic High School (originally established upon Audrey’s death) via www.grwestcatholic.org/scholarships/

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Duane Kluting

September 20, 1949 - March 3, 2025