Duane Burrell (Swede) Henry, 86, of Callaway, Nebraska passed away September 18, 2017, at Good Life Center in Callaway, Nebraska
He was born June 9, 1931, to Melvin A. and Mabel L. (Logan) Henry, at the Arnold Hospital. He was the older of two children.
Early childhood grade schools he attended were Fairview, Sunnyside, and Riverside. He graduated from Callaway High School with the Class of 1948, participating in football and track.
On March 16, 1952, he was united in marriage to Kathren I. Crow of Arnold, Nebraska at the Callaway Evangelical United Brethren (E.U.B.) Church. They first saw each other at a Husking Bee and then at a neighborhood card party, and eventually went on a first date by going to a Callaway vs. Ansley football game. To this union two daughters were born, Phyllis and Pamela.
Duane and Kate started their married life living at the current home place southeast of Callaway then still owned and occupied by Duane’s Grandfather Birt (B.G.) Henry. They lived there three years with Birt before moving to the Young/Boblits Ranch for two years and then back to the home place after purchasing the farm from Duane’s Uncles Wayne and Eldon Henry and Father Melvin Henry. Through the years, Duane worked at a body shop, on the R.E.A. Construction crew, the Alfalfa Mill, sacking and running the cutter, hired out for custom hay moving and fertilizing, school bus route driver for the Callaway Public Schools with Kate, became a Vermeer Dealer and was one of the first in the area to sell big round balers and equipment to customers. On the farm and ranch, they milked cows, raised sheep, chickens, hogs and cattle and planted crops of corn, alfalfa, soybeans, sunflowers, wheat, and cane. Duane also served on the Elevator Board and the Custer Township Board for many years and enjoyed playing cards with friends in card clubs. He was a member of the B.P.O. Elks #1688 of Broken Bow and a member of the United Methodist Church of Callaway.
Upon retirement, Duane and Kate became snowbirds and wintered several years at Port Aransas, Texas where they met many new friends and camped with old friends from Nebraska. In 2002, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with treasured family and friends present, and in 2017 their 65th Wedding Anniversary with the many cards, calls, and gifts received. Duane also enjoyed a new hobby after retirement of finding and restoring old gas pumps. He had a story behind each one that was dug out of the dirt and rubble from somewhere and restored to beauty again. He was interviewed in 2008 by the Omaha World-Herald Auto Section and in 2010 by the Callaway Courier about the gas pumps of which both papers printed an article and picture, that being the highlight of his hobby. Another special goal of Duane’s was to restore a Visual gas pump that would be placed in the Seven Valley’s Historical Museum in Callaway, Nebraska for others to appreciate. He accomplished his goal, in addition to several other pumps restored.
Family was the most important part of Duane’s life as demonstrated by 65 years of marriage and always being there for his family. He loved it when the whole family got together and especially loved seeing his Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren grow up. He was always the Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa that would go along with anything, including jokes, games, or any activity that was suggested and taught us all to have a sense of humor. He was a very hard working, wise, honest, loving, caring, patient, and guiding man that will be deeply missed.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin A. and Mabel L. Henry; in-laws, Les and Sophia Crow; brother-in-law, Bill Hickenbottom, Glenn Walker, Bill Hayward, Stanley Deterding, Bob Crow, Darrell Crow, LaMoyne Johnston, and John Leonard; sisters-in-law, Eloise Walker Hayward, Burdette Deterding, Mona Crow, and Pat Crow.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Kathren (Kate) of Callaway; his daughters, Phyllis (Lee) Bruns of Nickerson, and Pam (Shale) Woodward of Alliance; grandchildren Duane (Carla) Kimball of Callaway, Amy (Kevin) Tinley of Bennington, Blake (Rachel) Woodward of Aberdeen, S.D., Cole Woodward of Lincoln and Ashley Woodward of Gering; great-grandchildren, Emily and Lucy Kimball of Callaway and Ella and Sophia Tinley of Bennington; step-grandsons Barry and Jason (Jessica) Bruns of Lincoln; sister, Norma Jean Henry of Broken Bow; sister-in-laws Helen (Gerald) Dorris of Kearney and Sharen Leonard of North Platte; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral Services will be Friday, September 22, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Callaway with Reverend Shanon Williams officiating.
Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 21, 2017, from 5-7 p.m. at Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway.
Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.
Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.
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