Duane Marion Elliott, age 76, died September 3, 2019, at Falls City. He was born April 27, 1943, at the Humboldt Hospital, Humboldt, Nebraska, the son of the late Ellis Verl “Pete” and Mildred L. (Paxton) Elliott. He was united in marriage to Donna Hoemann on December 28, 1962, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Shubert, Nebraska, and to this union was born three sons: Steven, Michael, and Kevin. Later they divorced. His parents and a brother, Roger Lee Elliott, who died at birth, and special friend, Betty Larson, preceded him in death.
Duane graduated from Dawson-Verdon Consolidated High School, Dawson, Nebraska, in 1960. Upon completion of the Pre-Optometric requirements at Nebraska State Teachers College, Peru, Nebraska, he transferred to the Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree in1965. In the late 1970s Duane entered the University of Texas at El Paso, as a post-graduate student, and later continued with studies at Peru State College where in 1989 earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in management.
With his O.D. degree in hand, Duane moved his family to Lincoln, Nebraska, to begin his career as a practicing optometrist at the Lincoln Vision Clinic. Duane was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1965 and his physicians suggested that a warm-dry climate might help with this frustrating disease. He moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 1967 to practice as an optometrist at the Texas State Optical Clinic. In 1969 he began private practice as an optometrist in El Paso, Texas, where he practiced for 18-years with the crippling disease, Multiple Sclerosis, before compelled to give up work in 1983 and return to Falls City to make his home with his caring parents, Verl “Pete” and Mildred Elliott. In 1992, he became a nursing home resident at Ketter Manor then Falls City Healthcare Community where he called home for many years.
Duane enjoyed the outdoors, sports, playing pitch, reading newspapers, and took pleasure driving his sip-n-puff battery powered wheelchair to visit with staff, fellow residents, family, and his host of friends. Duane was a favorite with Falls City Healthcare staff as they cared for him with compassion, love, and admiration. His family is grateful he was blessed to have magnificent caregivers.
Duane was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His optimism, determination, and positive attitude were an inspiration to everyone fortunate to know him. Although MS crippled his body, it didn’t deter his zest for life. He is survived by three sons, Steven and wife Elizabeth “Liz”, El Paso; Michael and wife Carmen, San Antonio; and Kevin and wife Delia, El Paso; brother, Norman Elliott and wife Joyce, Springfield, Missouri; and a sister, Elaine Lippold and husband Harold, Mankato, Kansas; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces and many relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Multiple Sclerosis Society or to Rocky Mountain MS Center.
Funeral Services for Mr. Elliott will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 10:30 AM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home with Pastor Joyce Elliott officiating. Interment will be in Verdon Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home.
