Duane Little, 93, of Douglass, stepped into eternity and joined his brothers and sisters at the Throne on December 3, 2020. He was born near Derby, KS, on March 26, 1927, the seventh child and fourth son of William and Beryle (Mitchell) Little.
Duane graduated from Douglass High School in 1945. In November 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a radio airman, receiving an honorable discharge in July 1946. He then enlisted in the Navy Reserves, where he served for 8 more years. His work career included building silos, lumberjacking in Colorado, working at Boeing, driving a Standard Oil truck, and pumping oil in the oil fields. In 1963, Duane found his calling as a Kansas rural letter carrier, a job he loved. He served the communities of Atlanta, Burrton, and Longton before retiring back to his hometown of Douglass in 1989. During his stint as a letter carrier, he was active in Kansas Rural Letter Carrier Association, where he served on the state board and was state President. After his term as president, he continued to serve as a state delegate, PAC chairman, and chaplain. He was named Kansas Carrier of the Year in 1987.
In every community he lived, he found ways to serve. The first Sunday after every move found Duane and Leola in church ready to serve where they were needed. He was a lay leader in each church he belonged to. He was also a lay speaker for the United Methodist church, a 4-H leader, a member of the Lions Club and Masonic Lodge. He was a woodworker and a craftsman, creating original pieces he shared with family and friends. He loved his family, his friends, and his fellow man.
On August 19, 1949, Duane married Leola Hall, and they enjoyed 71 years together.
He is survived by his wife, Leola; his sister Virginia Lamb of Vancouver, WA; his children: Susan (Ron) Wrampe, Gregg (Jo) Little, and Lynette (Randy) Pearce; his grandchildren: Jarrod Wrampe, Megan Blackburn, Sara Randall, Rachel Talley, Aimee Bastian, and Ashley Shilts; 18 great grandchildren, his brothers-in-law James Riggs and Joe Hall, sister-in-law Marcile Schooley, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: Elwyn, Ernest, Elwood, Bob, and Jim; his sisters: Trudi Garvey, Martha Moore, Margaret Polk, and Joyce Riggs; and great-granddaughter, October Shilts.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 from 12-6 pm, with family present 4-6 pm at Smith Family Mortuary, Derby. A private family graveside service with military honors will be held. Celebration of Life service will take place at a later date.
Memorials may be given to the Douglass United Methodist Church or the Douglass Senior Center.
Masks are required, as well as social distancing.