Duane Durst

Per Duane's wishes, direct cremation was chosen. There will be no visitation. The public is invited to join the family for the graveside service on Friday.

Duane R. Durst,  86, Washington, KS, passed away on April 22, 2018, at the Marysville Community Hospital in Marysville, KS, after a short illness.

He was born on October 16, 1931, to Frank and Viola (Yager) Durst at Morrowville, KS.   He attended school in Haddam, KS, and graduated from Haddam High School in 1949. After graduation he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Landstuhl Air Force Base (Germany), where he was a  Staff Sgt. during the Korean War. He met his wife, Elfriede E. Hirsch, and they were married on March 17, 1956. The couple lived in Germany while he was in the Air Force, and upon his leaving the Air Force, he and Elfriede returned to the Morrowville, KS area, where they farmed and raised their two children, Linda and Frank.

He farmed  and worked for Johnson Feed and Grain, for 20 years.  He was the Curator of the Hollenberg Pony Express Station in Hanover, KS, for 23 years, and was instrumental in organizing the Pony Express Festival.  He had a passion for keeping history alive, his latest venture being the Mormon Springs Project. Duane was involved in, and a member of many local and state  historical organizations.

Duane is survived by his daughter, Linda Blanken, Concordia; son, Frank Durst and wife Connie, of Morrowville; Grandsons Nick Durst and wife Caitlin, Ames, IA, Shawn Durst and wife Kendra, Onaga; Granddaughters Lauri Douglas and husband Zach of Burlington, Kimba Stierwalt and husband Joe of Beatrice, NE, Jaime Blanken of Onalaska, WI, and Heather Cox of Kansas City; Great-Grandsons, Landon, Emory, Levi and KJ, and Great-Granddaughter, Brinley Grace. His siblings, Margaret Smith of Lincoln, and Gerald Durst of Beatrice.  He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elfriede, parents, and brothers, Harold, Kenneth and Sylvester.

Graveside service will be held, Friday, May 4, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., at the Morrowville Cemetery, Morrowville, KS.  Memorials have been designated to the family’s choice. Tibbets-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, is in charge of arrangements.