Duane "Dewey" Joseph Werts

Duane "Dewey" J. Werts, 90, of St. Edward, NE, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward, NE.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 3, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in St. Edward, NE, with Rev. Vern Olson officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, St. Edward, NE, with military rites conducted by Crosier American Legion Post #226 of St. Edward and the American Legion Riders. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Miller-Levander Funeral Home of St. Edward, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Duane "Dewey" Joseph Werts, was born to Charles and Helen (Boltz) Werts on September 14, 1928 at St. Edward, NE. Dewey was baptized and confirmed at the St. Edward Catholic Church and attended school at St. Edward Public School.

On June 12, 1946, Dewey was inducted in the U.S. Navy. He served until April 12, 1948 when he was honorably discharged, having attained the rank of Seaman Apprentice.

Dewey was united in marriage to Donna Louise Grape on February 4, 1950 at the St. Edward Catholic Church. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in St. Edward and was blessed with three children: Rick, Diane, and Doug. Dewey did carpentry work and was employed with Saunders Archery in Columbus, NE for 35 years. During his career at Saunders, he worked making targets and other archery equipment.

Dewey was a true family man and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His faith was important to him and he became a member of the United Methodist Church in St. Edward in 1995. He was also a member of Crosier American Legion Post #226. Dewey loved spending time fishing, gardening, and bird watching-especially bluebirds and purple martins. He also stayed busy doing taxidermy, woodwork, working with stained glass, photography, trapping and stretching fur hides, and was a Boy Scout leader.

Dewey is survived by his wife Donna of St. Edward, NE; children: Rick (Connie) Werts of St. Edward, NE; Diane (Mark) Ahlers of Columbus, NE; Doug (friend Michael Reznicek) Werts of Berwick, ME; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers: William (Iola) Werts of Columbus, NE; Jerry (Linda) Werts of Humbolt, NE; one sister: Pat (Homer) Nelson of Genoa, NE; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother: Billy Werts; brothers: Jim Werts; Denny Werts; sisters: Annie Werts; Delores Torson; granddaughter-in-law: Michele (Kaspar) Werts; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; as well as several nieces and nephews.