Duane William Rasby, age 86, of Sutherland, NE, had his life's journey end in the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
Duane was born on March 1, 1934 in Trenton, NE, to Adam and Siddie
(Beattie) Rasby. Duane's parents farmed north of Trenton before moving
back to Adam's hometown of Sutton, NE in 1935, where his family owned the sale barn. Duane was constantly at his father's side. He learned at a
young age how to bargain for the best deal and that "only a fool would
ever pay full price."
Duane enjoyed his high school years at Sutton High. Being fleet of foot
brought him state track championship hardware in the Class B mile run.
He was also a sharp shooting guard for the Sutton Mustangs basketball
team. Rumor has it he couldn't see the basket most of the time, as he
didn't wear his glasses, but that never stopped him from attempting to
put the ball in the hoop. Duane also played baseball in Lexington during
his high school summers and met some lifelong friends.
His hometown of Sutton was also the home of his high school sweetheart, Joan Leininger. Duane had a lot of trouble getting Joan out on a date as he had to get permission not only from her father but also from her four older brothers. Duane said he always had his eye on that Leininger girl, "but she sure talks a lot!" Duane's persistence paid off as he and Joan were united in marriage on August 28, 1954, which was a blistering hot summer morning at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sutton. Duane held up quite well during the ceremony but many of the wedding party fainted and were carried out!
The couple moved to North Platte, NE where Duane hired onto the Union
Pacific Railroad. This job took his family to many towns along the
railroad line in Nebraska from Gothenburg, to Kearney, out to Sidney and
then back to North Platte. His career spanned nearly 45 years.
Knowing they wanted to raise their family in a small community, Duane
and Joan settled in Sutherland. They bought a farm just outside the city
limits where they farmed, raised cattle and, most importantly, seven
children. Working hard on the railroad at night and farming by day never
kept Duane from being an active member of his community, church and
school. He was proud of his time spent on the school board and was a
founding member of the Sutherland Booster Club. Duane taught Religious Ed and could say a Hail Mary faster than any person alive! He was secretary of the UPRR Old Timer's Club, a member of the Knights of
Columbus, a Cub Scout leader and a baseball coach. Duane's vast
knowledge of sports had him giving a good amount of advice to any sport
official within earshot. The Rasby family was involved in 4-H for many
years and Duane had an eye for picking a champion calf. He spent summers traveling with his kids to different shows around the state.
When the nest emptied, Duane and Joan loved hopping on the train for the annual Old Timer's Railroad conventions and enjoyed county fair and
Nebraskaland Days concerts. Once the grandchildren came along, that
meant even more events to follow, keeping him busy. The 4th of July
rodeo in Sutherland became the annual Rasby family reunion.
Duane is preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Siddie Rasby; his
sister, Bernadyne (Fritz) Schwab; brother, Jim (Mildred) Rasby; father
and mother-in-law, Fred and Etta Leininger; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marge (Oscar) Rodgers, Lynn Leininger, Gene (Donna) Leininger, Max Leininger, Kenny Leininger, Leo Leininger and Jacqueline Oschner; and grandson, Justin Ryan Rasby.
Duane is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan, of Sutherland; sons,
Randall (Janie) Rasby of Sutherland, Richard (Tammy) Rasby of Lincoln,
Daniel (Molly) Rasby of Rapid City, SD, and David Rasby of Denver, CO;
daughters, Michele (Tod) McKeone of Lexington, Mindi (Darin) Gansebom of Bennington and Jacqueline (Rick) Smith of Columbus; as well as many nieces and nephews, 30 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland.
Visitation with family present will be at the church on Friday from 5-7
p.m. with a Rosary Service to follow. Sadly, with COVID, Duane's funeral
mass is for family only. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m.,
Saturday, December 19, 2020. Mass will be recorded and posted to
odeanchapel.com. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Odean Colonial
Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online
condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers,
memorials are to the family for a future scholarship to a Sutherland
High School graduate.