Person:Duane Dunning (1)

Duane A. Dunning, 90, of St. Paul died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul. Duane was born June 3, 1921, at Scotia to Herbert and Maude (Welsh) Dunning.

Duane married the love of his life, Shirley Brier, on May 25, 1946, at DeWitt. The couple shared 65 years together.

Survivors are: wife, Shirley; daughters and son-in-law, Linda and Robert Zuehlsdorf of York and Susan Bedford of Webber, Kan.; brother and sister-in-law, Neal and Raquel Dunning of Bonita Springs, Fla.; grandchildren and their spouses, Piper and Aaron Hollman of Kearney, Kelli and Dustin Meritt of Manhattan, Kan. and Nickolas Bedford of Lincoln; and great-grandson, William Deane Meritt of Manhattan, Kan.

Duane lived and grew up in numerous places in Nebraska, including Hazard, Valley View, Ansley, Halsey and Berwyn. He graduated from Berwyn High School in 1938.

Duane entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in June of 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1945 with a rank of sergeant. His service included 21 months in the United Kingdom with MOS of Power Operated Gun Turret mechanic.

The couple lived in Lincoln, where he completed his Master's Degree in Vocational Education in Agriculture.

The couple moved to St. Paul in July 1949 where he taught vocational ag classes for 21 years at the St. Paul Schools. At this time he also served two terms as state secretary of the Ag Teacher Association. He then taught trades and industries courses for 14 years, during which time he also served as bus supervisor/driver for the school.

Duane served as Howard County Veterans Service Officer for 21 years and as Post No. 119 Legion Adjutant for eight years. He was a life member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a past member of the Rotary and Lions Clubs.

Duane was a teacher and a mentor to many and truly cared for his students. He kept very busy and always on the "go," taking care and making sure the students got home safe when he was driving the bus. He taught a powder puff course for women to learn to build engines. His family was his top priority and he made sure their home was nice and orderly. Even after long days of teaching and driving bus he always found time to do just one more project at home. He enjoyed woodworking and built numerous items from scratch for his family, such as a tree house, merry-go-round, jeep, toy car, and furniture.

Duane was preceded in death by parents; baby grandson, Andrew Edward Zuehlsdorf; and son-in-law, William (Hank) Bedford.

Inurnment was in the Elmwood Cemetery, St. Paul, NE. with military rites at graveside by the Carl Mogensen American Legion Post No. 119 of St. Paul.

Published in The Grand Island Independent on November 14, 2011

Family links:

Parents:
 Herbert P Dunning (1892 - 1936)
 Maude Lillian Welsh Dunning (1893 - 1967)

Spouse:
 Shirley M. Brier Dunning (1924 - 2012)*

• Calculated relationship