1929
Elton
2023
Elton Duane Dunwoody
February 18, 1929 — April 5, 2023
The world is a little quieter now. Dunwoody's gone home to the Lord.
Elton Duane Dunwoody, 94, passed away on April 5, 2023, at his home in Keystone. Born on February 18, 1929, in Keystone, Nebraska, he was the middle son of Viva Jeanette and Leonard Dunwoody in a family of seven children. Duane grew up in Keystone, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Pavilion, Wyoming, where he completed his eighth grade. He later attended high school in Scottsbluff and changed his name from Elton to Duane, even retaking a necessary English class under his new name to graduate in 1947.
Duane served in the U.S. Navy, traveling extensively and attending boot camp in San Diego and ship service school in Bayonne, New Jersey. During his three years and eight months on ships, he crossed the Pacific numerous times. After his service, Duane used the G.I. Bill to further his education, attending Modesto Jr. College and Oakland Jr. College before earning a B.A. degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology in 1958 from San Francisco State. He taught in Santa Cruz, California, for 14 years and became a licensed pilot. Duane married Donna Hanna, and they had two children, Kim and Dru.
After his first marriage ended, Duane moved to Nebraska to become a rancher and married Lois Crouse in 1976. Throughout his life, Duane was deeply involved in church activities, gaining a Lay Preaching license and becoming a lay preacher. He preached in various denominations and communities across Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, and Oregon. He also officiated at weddings and funerals, and helped form new churches, including Faith Community Church and Martin Bay Community Church.
In his later years, Duane built a successful business turning old tractor tires into feed bunks, traveling across several states with his wife, Lois. He continued preaching and visiting homes, hospitals, and rest homes during their trips, often with the tire turner in tow.
Duane remained active in ranching and veterinary work, attending a veterinary school where he learned to perform cesarean operations on cows and remove cancerous eyes. He continued flying his plane to check pastures and water supplies for neighboring ranchers, providing assistance and enjoying an activity that brought him joy.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Duane began preaching more and more, filling in at churches for extended periods while they searched for full-time ministers. By the 1990s, he had established a reputation as a pastor, serving congregations and individuals in various communities. Duane continued to preach until the day before his 90th birthday, fulfilling his desire to serve the Lord throughout his life.
Duane leaves behind a rich legacy of faith, service, and love for his family and God's people. His expressions, such as, "I hatch'em, match'em, and dispatch'em," and his emphasis on laughter, will be remembered fondly by those who knew him and experienced his ministry.
Duane was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; sisters, Iva Jean Rothwell, Twylah Raye Stallings, Shirley June Slape, and Leota Schnell; and a brother, Lawrence Albert Dunwoody.
Survivors include his daughter, Kim (Loren) Soper of Keystone; son, Dru Dunwoody of Minneapolis, MN; granddaughter, Amanda (Tom) Wuehler of North Platte; and great-grandchildren, William and Rachel Wuehler; brother, Jerrold Allen Dunwoody of CA; along with many other relatives and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lois Dunwoody Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Frontier School of the Bible, P.O. Box 217, 125 5th Ave, LaGrange, WY 82221. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.
A memorial service will be held on April 25, 2023, at 10 am at New Hope Church in Ogallala, with Pastor Eric Wait officiating. Inurnment with military honors will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell.
A memorial book signing with family receiving friends will be held on April 24 from 4-7 pm at Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Elton Duane Dunwoody, 94, passed away on April 5, 2023, at his home in Keystone. Born on February 18, 1929, in Keystone, Nebraska, he was the middle son of Viva Jeanette and Leonard Dunwoody in a family of seven children. Duane grew up in Keystone, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Pavilion, Wyoming, where he completed his eighth grade. He later attended high school in Scottsbluff and changed his name from Elton to Duane, even retaking a necessary English class under his new name to graduate in 1947.
Duane served in the U.S. Navy, traveling extensively and attending boot camp in San Diego and ship service school in Bayonne, New Jersey. During his three years and eight months on ships, he crossed the Pacific numerous times. After his service, Duane used the G.I. Bill to further his education, attending Modesto Jr. College and Oakland Jr. College before earning a B.A. degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology in 1958 from San Francisco State. He taught in Santa Cruz, California, for 14 years and became a licensed pilot. Duane married Donna Hanna, and they had two children, Kim and Dru.
After his first marriage ended, Duane moved to Nebraska to become a rancher and married Lois Crouse in 1976. Throughout his life, Duane was deeply involved in church activities, gaining a Lay Preaching license and becoming a lay preacher. He preached in various denominations and communities across Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, and Oregon. He also officiated at weddings and funerals, and helped form new churches, including Faith Community Church and Martin Bay Community Church.
In his later years, Duane built a successful business turning old tractor tires into feed bunks, traveling across several states with his wife, Lois. He continued preaching and visiting homes, hospitals, and rest homes during their trips, often with the tire turner in tow.
Duane remained active in ranching and veterinary work, attending a veterinary school where he learned to perform cesarean operations on cows and remove cancerous eyes. He continued flying his plane to check pastures and water supplies for neighboring ranchers, providing assistance and enjoying an activity that brought him joy.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Duane began preaching more and more, filling in at churches for extended periods while they searched for full-time ministers. By the 1990s, he had established a reputation as a pastor, serving congregations and individuals in various communities. Duane continued to preach until the day before his 90th birthday, fulfilling his desire to serve the Lord throughout his life.
Duane leaves behind a rich legacy of faith, service, and love for his family and God's people. His expressions, such as, "I hatch'em, match'em, and dispatch'em," and his emphasis on laughter, will be remembered fondly by those who knew him and experienced his ministry.
Duane was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; sisters, Iva Jean Rothwell, Twylah Raye Stallings, Shirley June Slape, and Leota Schnell; and a brother, Lawrence Albert Dunwoody.
Survivors include his daughter, Kim (Loren) Soper of Keystone; son, Dru Dunwoody of Minneapolis, MN; granddaughter, Amanda (Tom) Wuehler of North Platte; and great-grandchildren, William and Rachel Wuehler; brother, Jerrold Allen Dunwoody of CA; along with many other relatives and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lois Dunwoody Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Frontier School of the Bible, P.O. Box 217, 125 5th Ave, LaGrange, WY 82221. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.
A memorial service will be held on April 25, 2023, at 10 am at New Hope Church in Ogallala, with Pastor Eric Wait officiating. Inurnment with military honors will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell.
A memorial book signing with family receiving friends will be held on April 24 from 4-7 pm at Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elton Duane Dunwoody, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Book Signing
Monday, April 24, 2023
Starts at 4:00 pm (Central time)
Prairie Hills Funeral Home
Guestbook
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