Duane Robert Porath, age 80, passed away on June 3, 2021, at Journey House Hospice in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Duane was born on February 22, 1941 to Arnold Edward Porath and Eleanor Emma (Detgen) in Valentine, Nebraska. He was baptized March 9, 1941, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Crookston, Nebraska. He was later confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in 1954.
Duane spent his entire life in Cherry County, Nebraska area, growing up on the family ranch south of Crookston. He attended grade school in a one room school on the German Settlement, freshman year of high school at Crookston, and then went to Kilgore High School where he graduated in 1958. Duane was in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965. He went to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for his training and then went to Karl’s Ruche Germany in April 1964 during the Vietnam War and was discharged in November of 1965. He worked at Schlueter Construction company for a year after returning home from the Army. He then began working with his Father on the ranch in the German Settlement area. He loved working with his horses and taking care of the cattle.
He met his wife Carolyn Jane Reiser at the dances at the Veterans Club in Valentine, Nebraska. They were married on March 22, 1975. Carolyn had two daughters Kimberly Dawn Weber and Kristina Louise Weber. He loved ranching, raising quarter horses, laughing and teasing with family and friends. In 1992, Duane and Carolyn moved to Valentine, but Duane continue to travel back and forth to the ranch. In 2006, nephew Sam Day started helping Duane with the ranching. He was a member of Cherry County Ag society for 30 years from 1990 to 2021 and enjoyed working the ticket booth and sponsorships. He was lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Crookston, on the board as president and elder, and then joined Our Savior Lutheran Church in Valentine where he helped with ushering. He could be found every Sunday sitting in the back pew.
He was preceded in death in by his parents, Arnold and Eleanor Porath; and his brother Glenn.
Surviving family are his wife of 46 years, Carolyn Porath; daughters Kimberly Potter (Ron Jr) of Meadow Grove, NE; Kristina Weber of Valentine, NE; sister Karen Potter (Bill) of Valentine, NE; granddaughter Megan Gallino Leikam (Toby) of Lincoln, NE; grandson Michael Gallino (Jessica) of Yuma, AZ ; grandson Markus Potter (Jodi) of Valentine, NE; granddaughter Danielle Potter Santos (Henry) of Norfolk, NE; and grandson Adam Potter of Colorado Springs, CO; great grandchildren Kelsey and Thea, Gabe, Asher, and Deegan; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in laws and an aunt.
Duane will be missed by all his family and friends and now is with his Savior in Heaven.
Visitation will be on Friday, June 11, 2021 from 12:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Holmes Funeral Home in Valentine, Nebraska.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 12th, 2021 at 10:00a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Valentine, Nebraska. Burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, German Settlement Road, Crookston, Nebraska.