Duane Slunecka
January 18, 1933 ~ July 1, 2016
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Duane Slunecka, 83, of Miller, passed away Friday, July 1, 2016 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.
Funeral Mass was held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Chester Murtha, celebrant. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis. Visitation began at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday July 5, 2016 followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.
Duane John was born January 18, 1933 in Miller, SD to John, Jr. and Matilda “Tillie” (Schlechter) Slunecka. Duane was the oldest of two sons, they spent his first 13 years growing up in the same house with his parents, brother Bob, along with his aunt and uncle, Minnie (his mother’s twin) and Fred (his father’s brother) and their three children: Arlene, Wanelda, and Audrey; all on the family farm in rural Hand County. He attended grade school at Campbell Township and went to school at St. Liborius part time as a boarding student. He attended Fairview High School in Polo and as a senior, attended South Dakota College Ag School.
In September of 1952, Duane enlisted in the Air Force. Served basic training in San Antonio, Texas and specialized in munitions in White Sands, NM. He went on to serve one year in the Korean War; returning to the states in 1954 until being honorably discharged in 1956. He stayed active in the Air Force Reserves until 1960.
During his time in the service, he met and married Barbara Jean Bell of North Carolina. While they were both serving in the military, Duane at ManZano Base and Barbara at Sandia Base, both in Albuquerque, NM. They were married on June 24, 1955. In the fall of 1956, he came back to South Dakota to join his father and brother on the farm in rural Hand County.
Duane retired from farming after 40 years and then went to work for Merle Bertsch until 2012. Duane and Barb moved into Miller in 2001.
In Duane’s free time, he participated in the American Legion and VFW, Hand County Extension Board member, Director on Hand County ASCS board, and member of the Miller Lions Club. He had a passion for old cars, tractors, antiques, and watching his grandchildren grow.
He will be missed by his wife of 61 years, Barbara of Miller; children: Fred (Sandy) Slunecka of Sioux Falls, Alan (Janet) Slunecka of rural Miller, James (Karen) Slunecka of Faulkton, Teresa (David) Schanzenbach of Belle Fourche, Leslie (Mary) Slunecka of Sioux Falls, and Thomas (Robyn) Slunecka of Mankato, MN; 13 grandchildren: Adam, Matt, Colin, Cory, Sarah, Jesse, Aaron, Dana, Heather, John, Wyatt, Will, and Jack; 6 great grandchildren; and one brother, Robert (Doris) Slunecka of Miller.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to the Hand County Health, Wellness, & Community Foundation, PO Box 121, Miller, SD 57362.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Duane’s arrangements.View current weather.
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Duane was a great man and we’ll all miss him. My heart and prayers go out to Barb and all the Slunecka Family. Deepest regrets, Dennis
I am so sorry for the loss of your father Teresa! There’s a new star in heaven tonight…..Love to everyone!
So sorry to hear of your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Sorry to hear of your loss, he was a very nice gentleman Our Deepest Sympathy Dr, Dick and Kathy Spichal
Barbara, I am so sorry to hear of your loss – I am sending prayers and hugs to you and the family to help you get through this time. Although I never met Duane I have heard a lot about him from your sisters and wish I could have met him. Hopefully we can see each other one day soon. Love, Patty
My deepest sympothy is sent to the family. I will be praying for you all!! Much love Kimberly, Jason and Gracie
My sincere sympathy to the family of Duane Slunecka.
My sincere sympathy to the family of Duane Slunecka.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Duane was a fine man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Barb and families, I’m so sorry for your loss. Duane was a wonderful and kind man. Keeping you all in my prayers.
Dear Barb and families – My sincerest sympathy to all of you on the passing of Duane. I remember when he used to come to me for haircuts when I was working at the beauty shop before I moved to Huron. I had many good visits with him. He was extremely friendly and I enjoyed visiting with both of you over supper on several occasions. Barb, I will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. If there is ANYTHING I can do, please let me know. Hugs and blessings to all of you! Love. Jan
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to you and the family may God’s comforting arms be wrapped around you all …Love , Jessey & Lynn and Kaitlyn Baldwin
Our deepest sympathy with you and the family prayers for comforting arms around you all Love, Harold & Pauline Bell
Our most sincere condolences to all of Duane’s family. Duane was a great man, friend and neighbor. He will be missed by all. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers at this hard, grief filled time. May God Bless you all.
We are so sorry for your loss. May you always remember the good times and find peace in his peace.
Fred and Sandy and boys, My sympathy in the loss of your dad/Grampa. Both my parents are gone and I still occasionally have questions that only could have answered! I loved the video; looks like your dad had a full and happy life…many photos of kids and cake! Again…my sympathy. Trish Delaney
I’m so sorry to hear of Duane’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God wrap his loving arms around you and comfort you.
Jim, Karen, and Cory and family. I am sorry for your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
My condolences to the family of Duane.
Fred & Sandy – So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. May the choirs of Angels come to greet him, May they speed him to Paradise. May the Lord enfold Duane in His Mercy, May Duane have eternal life. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Karol & Rockie West
Fred, Sandy and Slunecka Family – We were sorry to hear of the loss of your father, Duane. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
May the Holy Spirit be with and guide the entire Slunecka family.
We are so sorry to hear about Duane’s passing. May we offer this prayer in your time of loss: O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant Duane John Slunecka., and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.