Duane Lawrence Choat

Duane L. Choat, 83 of St. Edward, NE passed away peacefully Friday, October 27, 2023 at Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward, NE.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, NE with Rev. Carolann Hopcke officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in St. Edward, NE with military honors by American Legion Crosier Post #226 of St. Edward, the Army Honor Guard and the American Legion Riders. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, at the church.

Levander Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Duane Lawrence Choat, born August 24, 1940 to Clarence and Eleanor (Nelson) Choat on a farm 3 miles north of Boone, NE. A year later they moved to the farm 3 miles northwest of St. Edward, where he lived until August 2023 when he entered the nursing home. Duane passed away at Cloverlodge Care Center Friday, October 27, 2023.

Duane was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church on June 7, 1947 and confirmed on April 3, 1956. He attended Dogtown Dist #5 Country School just a mile west of the family farm and graduated from Albion High School in 1958. Duane attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln from fall of 1958 to spring of 1959, then returned home to help care for his mother and farm. He joined the National Guard and served in the Columbus unit from September 1962 until 1968. During that time, his unit policed the tornado stricken area of Primrose, NE and a riot breakout in Columbus, NE.

On March 12, 1966, he was united in marriage to Ardys Crosier at the Presbyterian Church in St. Edward, NE. To this union 4 children were born: Wayne, Ann, Amanda, and Alida.

Duane served on the Council of Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, NE, Boone County ASC Committee, Dogtown School Board and 12 years on the St. Edward Public School Board.

Duane's passion in life was farming. He was a conservationist at heart and loved to care for the land. With every farm that he purchased, he went through a process of improving the land by installing terraces, grassed waterways, and the occasional irrigation reuse pit. He spent hours and hours caring for his crops. From planting to harvest, he was involved in every aspect and knew every field down to the row. He used his agronomy knowledge to not only grow his own crops, but spent many years helping neighboring farmers by selling them Pioneer seed. There were many times he helped his customers identify a hybrid simply by looking at the ear of corn.

In addition to farming, he was also a partner, along with his brothers, in BV-82, Inc., an anhydrous ammonia company that his father, Clarence, started in the 1960's. When he wasn't farming, he spent time riding his Harley Davidson Sportster. When asked why he sold his Harley, he simply replied, "If I hadn't, it would have killed me." From his Harley, he moved on to the much safer hobby of restoring John Deere tractors and Hudson cars. Over the years, he managed to acquire a very respectable collection of both.

As he grew older and his ability to spend time on the farm diminished, he traveled to as many ball games as possible to watch his grandchildren play. His favorite sports were baseball and softball, but learned to appreciate football, basketball and volleyball. With a bag of popcorn and glass of tea in hand, he was content to watch whichever sport was in season.

Duane is survived by his wife Ardys, children: Wayne (Jody) Choat of St. Edward, Ann (Carter) Ahlstedt of Neligh, NE and Alida (Tony) Kurtenbach of St. Edward. Eight grandchildren: Faith (Dylan) Haas, Genoa, NE, Weston (Carsen) Choat, St. Edward, Claire (Caleb) Kohl, Lincoln, NE, Dalton Harrison, St. Edward, Brynlee Ahlstedt, Neligh, NE, Aislynne, L'wren and Logan Kurtenbach of St. Edward; three sisters-in-law: Shirley Choat of St. Edward, Mildred Choat of St. Edward, Judy Choat of Albion; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Duane is preceded in death by parents: Clarence and Eleanor Choat; step-mother: Lillian Choat; in-laws: Lysle and Claudine Crosier; infant daughter: Amanda K; infant grandchild; brothers: Gary, Lynn and Alan Choat; several aunts, uncles, a nephew and a niece.