Duane Lynn Ruppert

Duane Lynn Ruppert, 71, of Ogallala, Nebraska, passed away on January 21, 2025, in the Veterans Administration Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Duane was born on August 16, 1953, in McCook, Nebraska, to Dale and Donna (Swanson) Ruppert. He grew up on the family farm north of McCook, the oldest of three boys. He received his education at St. Ann’s Country School and McCook Public Schools, graduating in 1971. He excelled in track and Legion Baseball.

Duane joined the United States Army in 1973. He was based in Korea during the Vietnam War and was assigned to the Army Security Agency as a Morse Code Interceptor. At times, he was sent on missions with special forces teams to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos to locate enemy troops. He received an honorable discharge in 1976.

Returning home, Duane decided he didn’t want to farm, so he moved to Denver, Colorado, where he learned the locksmith and security system business. After spending twenty years in Colorado, Duane returned to the McCook and North Platte, Nebraska, area, where he became a “jack of all trades,” installing TV antennas, satellite TV dishes, security systems, doing lock work, as well as spraying noxious weeds in fields for farmers. This continued until his health forced him to retire in 2021.

In 2004, he met and married Jane (Hasselquist) Anderson of Ogallala, Nebraska, and was blessed with an instant family because of Jane’s four children from a previous marriage. The couple continued to reside in Ogallala.

Duane was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church of McCook. In later years he became a member of the VFW and NRA.

His interests included fishing and hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Jane; his brother, David Ruppert of McCook; a nephew, Dylan (Jessie) Ruppert and children, Sterling and Quincie, of Curtis, Nebraska; stepdaughters Stephanie (Jason) Lemonds, Tabor, Iowa; Robin (Gary) Cobaugh and Elizabeth Anderson, all of Ogallala; stepson Mark (Becky) Anderson, Arvada, Colorado; nine step-grandchildren; and one step- great-granddaughter.

Preceding him in death were Duane’s mother and father; brother, Daryl Ruppert; and sister-in-law, Darla Ruppert.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 7, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. The First United Methodist Church in Ogallala, NE with Rev. Curt Magelky officiating.

The inurnment will be in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, NE at 2:00 P.M. (CST) with military honors by the Keith County Honor Guard.

A memorial has been established for T2T.org, Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent by going to www.drauckerfh.com.

Services will be live-streamed and can be watched by visiting www.drauckerfh.com and clicking the watch live button.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala has been entrusted with arrangements.

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