Duane Leo Steeples passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at the Rooks County Health Center, Plainville, KS, at the age of 92. He was born on January 15, 1928 to Chester and Olive (Kobler) Steeples in Hays, Kansas. Duane was united in marriage to Carol Ann (Fell) Steeples on July 26, 1950 in Stafford, Kansas. To this union, Kay, John, Carla, and Kristi were born.
Duane was a lifetime resident of Rooks County. He attended school in Palco and graduated from Palco High School with the class of 1946. He later attended Kansas State University and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education. Following his graduation, he accepted a teaching position in Almena, KS creating the first Vo Ag program there. After two years he returned to the family farm joining his dad and brother Hillon.
Duane loved all aspects of agriculture and had a talent for welding, corral building and mechanics. He and Carol were recognized by Kansas State University, receiving the Master Farmer-Master Farm Homemaker Award in 1993. He served on the Kansas State Board of Agriculture and Kansas State Fair Board from 1975 to 1990. Duane also enjoyed the brotherhood of the Masonic Lodge, the Isis Shrine, The Palco United Methodist Church, and was a loyal Lions Club Member for more than 50 years.
Duane worked hard and loved greatly. In the words of 2 Timothy, he has “fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith” and is now awarded with an eternity in Heaven. For that we rejoice, until we see him again.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carol Ann Steeples of Palco; children, Kay (William) Keck of Scottsdale, AZ, John (Cynthia) Steeples of Palco, KS, Carla (Tom) Stanley of Dodge City, KS, and Kristi Nyberg of Raleigh, NC; sister, Dr. Donnalea (Dr. Richard) Childs of Mission, KS; nine grandchildren, Phillip (Kristen) Keck, Anne (David) Molinaro, Summer Steeples (Brad Yoder), Josey (Cortney) Steeples, Heather (Dan) Renier, Dr. Matthew (Dr. Darcy) Stanley, Jackie (Dr. Phil) Gorman, Dr Mike (Marcella) Stanley, Melissa Wise, Holly (John) Kilian, and Shelby (Wylie) Bindeman; and sixteen great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Olive Steeples; brother, Hillon Steeples; and grandson, Tyler Wise.
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