Duane L. Beutler

Duane L. Beutler, of Pender, NE, formerly of Bancroft, NE, died on Sunday, July 2, 2023, surrounded by his family at his home in Pender. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft; Pastor Nathan Henschen will be officiating. The visitation will be Wednesday, July 5, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft. Burial will be in the Bancroft Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Duane was born on the family farm near Bancroft on Jun 21, 1938, the son of Raymond and Lillian (Reimers) Beutler. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft. Duane attended country school and then graduated from Bancroft High School in 1955. During and following high school, Duane worked at the local grocery store as a butcher. He also worked at the Farmer’s Elevator in Bancroft. On June 23, 1956, Duane was united in marriage to Karen Westerhold at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church west of Pender, NE. In 1960, Duane entered the United States Army. After the military, Duane and Karen returned to Bancroft where he farmed until his retirement in 2009. Duane and Karen moved to Pender following his retirement. Duane is survived by his wife, Karen of Pender; son, David (Becky) Beutler of Republic, MO; daughter, Debra (Grant) Sletten of Webster City, IA; grandchildren, Lindsey (Beau) Dolezal, Miranda (Dustin) Schutte, Kayla Beutler, Jordan Beutler, Faith (Shawn) Bryant, Amy (Tony) Taylor, Eric Sletten, Emily (Noah) Ronnfeldt; seventeen great-grandchildren; brother, Mylon (Carol) Beutler of Bancroft, NE; sister, Marlene (Richard) Hermelbracht of Bancroft, NE; sister-in-law, Rosie Westerhold; brother-in-law, Lawrence Doffin; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Burnell Beutler; brother-in-law, Ken Westerhold; and sister-in-law, Jan Doffin.