Duane Clark

Duane Earl Clark, 73, of Gothenburg, NE, was graciously welcomed into the arms of his loving Savior at Hilltop Estates the afternoon of December 8, 2017.

Duane was born the third of eleven children on November 18, 1944 to Alfred and Edith (Alexander) Clark in Silver City, IA.  The family moved to Loveland, CO, during Duane’s early years.  The family home was welcome to anyone, and one never knew who would be at the Clark’s.  Duane continued to live his life with an open heart and willingness to befriend everyone he met.

Duane graduated from Loveland High School in 1962 and married Cheryl Lynn Meyer on October 16, 1965.  The newlyweds moved to Ames, IA, where they welcomed a daughter and son, Stephanie and Michael.  Duane truly loved spending time with family.  To know the Clark’s is to know a large, loud, loving, joking, boisterous family.  Duane particularly enjoyed teasing his grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  All were legitimately his “favorite,” and he was genuinely adored in turn by each of them.

Duane spent his career primarily in retail sales, where his quickness of smile and willingness to crack a joke became his calling card.  However, most dear to Duane was his role as a lay pastor for LaPorte Outreach Ministries of Ft. Collins, CO, where he led the jail ministry.  Duane continued that ministry for many years, spreading the word of God and bringing many inmates and probationers to the Lord.  His single greatest joy was the conversion and baptism of new believers.

Duane moved to Gothenburg in 2010 where his health began to fail shortly thereafter.  A special thank you to the staffs of Stone Hearth Estates and Hilltop Estates for their loving care, encouragement, and wonderful senses of humor during Duane’s frustrations with his illnesses.

Duane is survived by his children, Stephanie (Travis) Binderup of Gothenburg, NE, Michael (Jody) Clark of Wamego, KS; four grandchildren, Jade (Amber) Clement of Kearney, NE, Ty Clement of Gothenburg, NE, Abbigail and Ian Clark, Wamego, KS, 35 nieces and nephews as well as a numerous great-nieces and nephews.  Duane is also survived by his siblings including Dwight (Sue) Clark of Wellington, CO; Janice Thompson of Sheridan, IL; Floyd (Susie) Clark of Loveland, CO; Alice Kennedy of Morganton, GA; Diane (Brian) Cottrell of Waddell, AZ; Kathy (Lynn) Hardy of Chandler, AZ; Susan Zimmer of Sheridan, IL; Robert (Sue) Clark of Castle Rock, CO; Richard Clark of Albuquerque, NM; and Matt Bratten of Loveland, CO.  Duane was welcomed home by his parents, Alfred and Edith Clark, youngest sister Debbie Bratten, beloved nieces Jacqueline Cottrell and Jessica Clark, three brothers-in-law, and many dear friends.

Register book signing will be held 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM December 13, 2017 at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg, NE, with family in attendance from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.  A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, December 14 at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel with Lonna Grabenstein officiating.  An additional celebration of life will be scheduled during the spring in Loveland, CO.  Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.