Duane Carl Olson

Duane Olson, 50, of Syracuse, Kansas and formerly of Ogallala, died Wednesday, October 21, 2015, as the result of a truck accident near Hugo, Colo. Duane Carl Olson was born March 5, 1965, in Ogallala, Nebr. He was the second child of Delmore and Frances (Deen) Olson. He attended Ogallala schools, graduating in 1983. Duane was involved in wrestling and football. While in high school he worked for Everett Wood Farms until August of 1989. He then moved to Syracuse, Kansas and was employed with Bear Creek Feeders until January of 1991. Duane then went to work for Hook Trucking. In 1989 he met and fell in love with Gail Valentine. They were married on December 17, 1993, in Syracuse. The important aspects of Duane's life were his family, friends, and his dogs. He loved more than anything the time he spent with his wife Gail and his Dad. At Christmas time you would find Duane down on hands and knees being the human bucking bull for all his nephews. Duane's dogs were considered part of his family. He loved to take them for their runs and spend quality time with them. His hobbies included bowling, hunting, and fishing, especially ice fishing with his Dad. Duane enjoyed riding his Harley and motocross racing at which he won many trophies. The one thing he enjoyed most was camping with Gail on Little Bush Creek in Wyoming. Duane was the kind of man that would give you the shirt off his back and never knew a stranger. He was a lifelong die hard Nebraska Cornhusker fan. He was a patriot of his country. He deeply admired all Veterans and was very proud of all his family and friends that served this country. The world lost a great man and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Preceding him in death was his mother in 2002 and his sister Janice Ann Olson in 1975. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Gail Olson of Syracuse, Kan. and his father Delmore Olson of Ogallala; his aunt Louise (Bernard) Armstrong of Queensland, Australia; his mother-in-law Kathleen Hook of Syracuse, Kan.; sisters-in-law Deb (Burt) Files of Holly, Colo. and Kam (Tom) Walsh of Elkhart, Kan., and brother-in-law Steve Valentine of Syracuse, Kan., numerous nephews, great- nephews, cousins, and dear friends. The funeral service will be Tues. Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. in the Syracuse, Kansas, United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gina Taylor officiating. Burial is in the Syracuse Cemetery. A memorial service will be Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. in the Ogallala First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. The service will be streamed live from www.drauckerfh.com, for those unable to attend. Memorials have been established to the Wounded Warriors, the Syracuse Animal Shelter, the Lamar Animal Shelter, and the Ogallala First United Methodist Church. Online Condolences may be sent to webmaster@drauckerfh.com. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements. Charitable donations may be made to:First United Methodist Church - Ogallala 421 N. Spruce Street, Ogallala NE 69153 Tel: 1-308-284-8455 Web: http://www.methodistchurchogallala.com/ Wounded Warrior Project 7400 College Boulevard, Suite 350, Overland Park, KS 66210 Tel: 1-913-998-7521 Web: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=170&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS15067 Syracuse Animal Shelter Syracuse KS 67878 Tel: 1-620-384-4841 Web: http://awos.petfinder.com/shelters/KS69.html

Service Information Funeral Service Tuesday October 27, 2015 10:00 AM First United Methodist Church - Syracuse, KS 409 N. Main Street Syracuse, KS 67878 Memorial Service Saturday October 31, 2015 11:00 AM Ogallala First United Methodist Church 421 North Spruce Ogallala, NE 69153