Gweneth Duckstein

Gweneth Louise Nikkel was born January 18, 1957 to Wilbur and Louise Nikkel in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She passed peacefully from this life on March 22, 2022 In Des Moines Iowa at the age of 65.

Gwen was united in marriage to Galen Duckstein on June 26, 1976 in Prairie City, Iowa. To this union two children were born, Amy Louise and Bradley Ray.

Gwen spent most of her growing up years on a dairy farm south of Prairie City and attending the Prairie City Christian School, Prairie City Junior High, and Prairie City Community High School.

She studied Spanish all four years of high school and was a member of the Spanish Club. She graduated as valedictorian of her class.

After graduation, she studied at Central College in Pella, Iowa with the intention of becoming a Spanish interpreter. But after one year she decided that a career with more local opportunity would be better. After one year at Central, she enrolled in the accounting program at Des Moines Area Community College and graduated in 1978.

Gwen worked at various accounting and retail jobs in the Des Moines and Prairie City area but her main focus was being a homemaker and raising her children. She volunteered in school activities and was a Campfire Leader.

Gwen is survived by her husband of 45 years, Galen Duckstein, daughter Amy (Jerad) Penick, son Bradley (Chris Setina) Duckstein, and grandchildren Owen Penick and Ella Penick. She is also survived by her siblings, Steven (Mimi) Nikkel, Carolyn (Bryan) Harthoorn, Arthur (Kris) Nikkel, and Jeffrey (Larry) Hutchcroft- Nikkel and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Gwen was a member of the Grandview Church of Christ and Prairie City Mother’s Club.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2022 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2022, also at Hamilton’s. There will be a luncheon after the service at Grandview Church of Christ, 2736 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines. Services will conclude with burial at Vandalia Cemetery in Jasper County at 2:30 p.m. For those who cannot attend the service in person, the funeral will be livestreamed through Gwen’s obituary listing on Hamilton’s website: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated to Grandview Church of Christ Blanket Project or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

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