Duane "Dewey" R. Ehmen

Duane “Dewey” R. Ehmen, 82 of Syracuse, passed away on Friday, February 27 at the Syracuse Hospital. He was born on June 30, 1943, to Ernest & Martha (Kleeman) Ehmen in Beatrice. Duane graduated from Syracuse High School with the class of 1960. After graduation he served his country in the Army Reserves and remained a member of the Syracuse American Legion Post 100 for 57 years.

On January 14, 1966, he married Pat Heng at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nebraska City. Duane devoted his life to farming and caring for the land. During Duane’s younger years, he and Pat enjoyed various adventures with their many friends. Duane had a deep love for tractor pulling and was a 20-year member of the Nebraska Bush Pullers and Outlaw Tractor Pullers Association. Over the years, he won numerous sweeps and several point championships and proudly pulled at the Western Farm Show Indoor Pull in Kansas City. In addition to tractor pulling, Duane enjoyed playing cards—especially Pitch. Duane loved coyote hunting and fishing with Pat, his grandsons, & friends. You could find Duane at a random farm sale and enjoying a pop with his friends each morning at “school.”  Duane always worked hard and played hard.

He is survived by his wife Pat Ehmen; son Ron (Susan) Ehmen; daughter Sherlyn (Lynn) Damme; grandsons Cody & Ryan Damme; sister Irene Fisher; brother-in-law Irvin (Sue) Heng; sisters-in-law Jane Mick, and Julie (Frank) Volkmer; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Orval and three nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Luther Memorial Church in Syracuse. The service will be livestreamed on the Luther Memorial Church, NE YouTube page. Burial will follow at the Park Hill Cemetery in Syracuse.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 2 from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home in Syracuse.

Memorials are suggested to the Syracuse Rescue Squad, Syracuse Rural Fire Department or Otoe County 4-H Foundation.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com