Edwin Bernard Duer of Staplehurst was born May 5, 1926, to Bernard “Ben” Julius and Wilhelmina “Minnie” Sophia (Scheumann) Duer on the family farm north of Staplehurst.
He attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Staplehurst and then Ulysses High School, graduating in 1944. Edwin decided to stay home the first time he was eligible to serve in the military to help his father on the farm. He then served in the United States Army from Oct. 3, 1950 – Aug. 27, 1956. He was sent to radio school at Bad Kissinggen, Germany, from July 5, 1951 – Oct. 17, 1951. Edwin worked at the railroad shop in Havelock for a year after he returned home from service. He was a lifetime farmer, raising both crops and livestock. He was also a Pioneer sales representative for 15 years.
On June 22, 1958, Edwin was united in marriage to Lavonne Marie Woelber in Breckenridge, Minnesota. He worked on the family farm and was a hard worker all of his life. He served on the Staplehurst Co-op, volunteered for the Staplehurst Fire Department and was a member of Utica American Legion Post 49. Edwin was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Staplehurst and served on various boards. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Edwin passed away June 20, 2023, in Seward at the age of 97.
He is survived by his wife, Lavonne Duer of Staplehurst; children, Lori (Michael) Sheehan of Staplehurst, Ruth Hatcher of Beaumont, Texas, Paul (Ginelle) Duer of Staplehurst; son-in-law, Wayne Naber of Waco; grandchildren, Kyle (Heather) Naber, Aimee (Ryan) Eckstein, Kelly (Jared) Dana, Michaela (Chris) Steager, Erin (Justin) Zodrow, Elizabeth (Ed) Moyer, Ben Sheehan, Sara Sheehan (Joshua Larsen), Emmett Sheehan, Phoebee Sheehan, Sophie Sheehan, Caelin Sheehan, JeanAnne (TJ) Moore, Jennifer (Dustin) Petik, Justin (Lynde) Hatcher, Dakotah (Nate) Comes, Jordanne Duer (Payton Kinney), Aubrey (Andrew) Bader, and Dylan Duer (Rachel Tyner); great-grandchildren, Jade, Nolan and Conner Eckstein, Addison and Ashlynn Naber, Emery Valez, Margaret and Grady Zodrow, Kaleb Robinson, Vance, Olivia and Mason Moore, Clay and Evelyn Petik, and Savannah and Turner Comes; sisters, Evangeline Barth and Cynthia Ludwig; brother-in-law, Eldon Deverne Orth; sister-in-law, Valera Otte; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jean and Marlin Versteeg; and brother-in-law, Donald Woelber.
Edwin was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Wilhelmina Duer; daughter, Joan Naber; grandson, William Hatcher; great-grandson, Aydan Naber; brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Norma Duer, Henry and Annabelle Duer, Frederick and Norma Duer; sisters and brothers-in-law, Verna and Don Mosley, Dorothy and Charles Parks; sister, Darleen Orth; brothers-in-law, Delmar Ahrens, Harold Barth, James Ludwig and Delmer Woelber.
The funeral service was June 26 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Staplehurst with committal at the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of Our Redeemer Lutheran Ministry Center or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
