Laverne “Duffer” E. Mauck, 95, passed away on Wednesday, November 11,
2020 at his home in Hoxie, Kansas. On August 6, 1925, Duffer was born
to Henry and Emma (Trueblood) Mauck on the family farm in rural Sheridan
County. He attended grade school nearby at the Chicago School House
and graduated from Sheridan County Community High School with the class
of 1943.
Duffer was first drafted into the United States Army during WWII
only to be instructed by the War Department to return to farming. He
then served in the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division where he earned the
Combat Infantryman Badge and Korean Service Medal. While in the service,
Duffer enjoyed playing baseball for the Fort Riley baseball team and
outshooting all of the officers on the rifle team as a Private First
Class. His skill in both baseball and shooting, coupled with his
stubborn candor, gave him ample opportunity to share his opinion with
those in command and contributed to a rather unique experience in the
Army.
With six weeks notice before being sent to serve in the Korean
Conflict, Duffer and JoAnn (Coulter) Mauck rushed to tie the knot on
August 22, 1950. This institutionalized the beginning of what became
their 70-year love story. When Duffer returned from fighting in heavy
combat in Korea, they moved to their honeymoon cottage where they raised
their family and were blessed with a family of five children, Rex,
Roger, Brena, Karen, and Rodney, who share many warm memories from "the
farm".
Duffer raised his family while farming. It gave him the opportunity
to farm into the wee hours of the night so that he could attend his
son's many wrestling matches. Having been a high school state wrestling
champion himself, he found great joy in watching his son's wrestle. He
logged many miles as he never missed a match. He filmed their matches
and the whole family would gather and watch them on the living room wall
as he would "coach" them. Duffer continued the enjoyment of logging
many miles as he watched grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their
athletic activities also.
Duffer is well-known for his pranking which has been passed down to
almost all in the family and has led to many laughs. One of the “famous”
pranks was the time he crawled under a pickup in the dark that was
parked in the field and waited patiently for Roger so he could grab
Roger’s feet and scare him. He was rewarded for his efforts by Roger’s
reaction. Duffer’s shoulders always bounced up and down with a twinkle
in his eyes while he laughingly recounted many such stories over the
years.
Duffer enjoyed fishing from childhood through retirement.
Additionally, he grew to appreciate rock and fossil hunting with JoAnn.
Their expeditions began locally with trips to Castle Rock and developed
into cross-country treks. He outfitted his pickup with a wench to help
lift his favorite fossils. One of his finds was published and others are
displayed at museums throughout Kansas. He shared his discoveries and
insights with his family, many grade school classes and anyone that
showed an interest in his hobby. The prankster in him came out when he
tricked many enthusiasts into licking his special rock, and then
watching their faces when he told them they had just licked petrified
dinosaur poop. This hobby led to trips throughout the world to explore
ancient artifacts and fossils. They spent time in Arizona, Utah, Egypt,
Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Montana, just to name a few.
One of his greatest prides was perfecting his jerky recipe over many
years which his grandkids loved. It gave him great pride to make a
batch when he knew the grandkids and the great-grandkids were coming. He
also had a soft spot for romantic ‘50s music and Hawaiian tunes, so
much that he traded for a radio in Korea so he could listen to tunes,
like the Tennessee Waltz, as often as they would play. At home he made
hours of tapes, cds, and then MP3s for all who would listen.
Duffer is survived by his sons, Rex Mauck (Dorothea) of Longwood,
Florida and Roger Mauck (Dolores)of Hoxie, Kansas; daughters, Brena
Mauck of Hays, Kansas and Karen Billinger (Ed KImminau) of Dodge City,
Kansas; sister, Elaine Kramer of Kansas City, Kansas; grandchildren,
Melissa Small (Richie), Nathan Mauck (Kelsie), Dr. Michelle Pope
(Jason), Tate Mauck (Heather), Adam Mauck (Krista), and Michaela Linden
(Brett), Brandon Billinger (Liz) and Amy Billinger; great-grandchildren
Zoe Small, Sophie Mauck, Truman Mauck, Emma Pope, Grace Pope, Kate Pope,
Charlie Pope, Sydney Mauck, Reilly Mauck, Avery Mauck, Harper Mauck,
Blayke Mauck, Max Mauck, Maggie Mauck, Parker Linden, Collins Linden, ,
William Billinger and Joseph Billinger.
He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn Mauck; parents, Henry
and Emma Mauck, son, Rodney Mauck; granddaughter, Stephanie Mauck;
great-grandson, Knolan Small; brother, Harold Mauck; sisters, Bernadine
Cobb and Bonnie Czerenda.
A private family service will be held on Saturday, November 21,
2020, 1:00 P.M. at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home. Following the
service a private family burial take place at the Hoxie City Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to LC Caring or Hospice of Northwest Kansas and
may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie,
Kansas 67740. Words of comfort may be left at
www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com