Ivan Duane Eitzen was born on January 17, 1929 in Page County, Iowa, the son of Harry Theodore and Elizabeth Charlotte (Meyers) Eitzen. Ivan entered into eternal peace on Monday, November 29, 2010 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Ivan's early years were spent on the farm with his folks in Rural Coin. He attended LaPraire Country School and graduated from the 8th grade. Ivan served his country with pride as a soldier in the United States Army. He served as Sergeant in the 25th Infantry Division during the Korean Conflict.

On March 10, 1963 he was united in marriage to Helen Viola Stamps at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Shenandoah. They enjoyed 47 years of marriage.

Ivan and Helen made their home in the Coin area where the couple farmed. In 1995 they moved to Essex. Ivan, not wanting to give up his passion for farming, took up work at Cropmate and the Essex Elevator. He also helped out his friends when needed on their farms. He was currently working part-time at the Clarinda Correctional Facility.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Elizabeth; brother Ermal Eitzen; his father and mother-in-law Ray and Reva Stamps; brother-in-law Howard Reed; nephew Ted Reed; and niece Becky Reed.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife Helen Eitzen; daughter Terri Krause; grandsons Nick Krause and wife Heather, Kevin Krause, Todd Krause, and Adam Krause and wife Elaine; sisters Helen Reed and Kathryn Nelson; brothers-in-laws Dean Stamps and wife Rita, Curt Stamps and wife Darlene, Larry Stamps, Garry Stamps and wife Judy and Carroll Stamps and wife Jan; sisters-in-law Ruth Thompson and Jean Eitzen; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.