Duane Klein

Delbert Duane Klein

Delbert Duane Klein, 87, Hays, died Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the Pinnacle Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Salina.

Duane was born February 28, 1932 in LaCrosse, Kansas the son of L.A. and Katie (Hamburger) Klein.  He attended Lacrosse Elementary School and graduated from LaCrosse High School in the class of 1950.  While in school he was involved in all sports activities.  He started working as a bag boy at the grocery store in LaCrosse as an eighth grader.  He was working full time when C.O. Mammels bought the store in 1952.  He continued to work for Mammels as a meat cutter until the store closed in 1986.  He was united in marriage to Edna Marie Stroemel on October 20, 1958 at St. Ann Church in Walker.  They celebrated 38 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on October 21, 1996.  He was a former member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus Council #1325.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved animals, helping nephews with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, especially making pinewood derby cars.  He enjoyed watching sports and always liked to tell a good joke.

Survivors include nieces and nephews; Patty and Larry Collins of Mesa, AZ, Ron and Elsie Klein of Brady, TX, Pam and Jim Rogers of Amarillo, TX, Arlinda and husband Greg Worthen of Concordia, Kathy and Rick Wood of Santa Rita, Guam, Cindy and Clif Strickland of Hoisington, Harold and Shelly Klein of Salina, Fr. Terrance Klein of Ellinwood, and Penny and Dr. Ronald Huffman of Salina.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Edna, four brothers; Chester, Eldon, Albert, and Harold “Irvin” Klein, and a nephew Mike Klein.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Walker, Kansas, with Fr. Terrance Klein officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and from 9:00 am until service time on Saturday at St. Ann Catholic Church in Walker.  A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, both on Friday at the funeral home.   Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of the High Plains, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences and memories of Duane may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

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