Obituary of Duane Loutzenhiser

Lifelong Flagler, Colorado resident Donald Duane Loutzenhiser passed away on June 8, 2012 at his home in Flagler. He was 78 years old. Duane was born on May 30, 1934 to Donald and Levita (Gattshall) Loutzenhiser in Flagler, Colorado. He was one of four children. In 1941, he started school at the Shiloh School north of Flagler and graduated from Flagler High School in 1953. He enrolled in college in the fall of 1953 at Colorado A&M, which is now CSU. In January of 1954, Duane enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. For the next 4 years, 3 months and 28 days, his time was spent with the Marines. He spent time in the MCRD Recruit Depot, Japan, Korea, Camp Pendleton and Camp Elliott. He was discharged with a rank of SGT E4 in 1958. He returned home and engaged in farming for ten years. In 1964, he teamed up with Bob Hall and his harvest crew. On May 18, 1972, he married Hazel Jackson, and in 1979, he adopted his son Doyle Loutzenhiser. To this union was born Penny Kay, and two years later, a son Donald Glenn was born. Duane and Hazel divorced in November, 1982. In May of 1985, Duane married Ruth Kraxberger. Ruth had one son Bob, whom Duane considered his own son. After they were married, Duane and Ruth moved back to the original family homestead east of Flagler. Over the years, they built their home and several other out buildings to help with his construction business. For the next 10 years, Leroy King helped Duane with the construction business and other endeavors that he took on. Duane was a very active member of the Flagler American Legion Post 81 for 34 years. He was commander for the Legion Post in Flagler and District 2 representative. He arranged numerous parades and Memorial Day Ceremonies, posting Colors for the Football games, and really enjoyed putting on programs at the school for Veteran’s Day. He was also involved with the Flagler Boy Scout Troop 56. In 2002, he was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma, which re-occurred in 2008 as a brain tumor. In 2010, Duane’s cancer grew in numerous other areas of his body. In December of 2011, Duane made a decision to discontinue cancer treatment, and came home to live and enjoy his remaining time with his family and friends. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant son Donald Glenn. He is survived by his wife Ruth of Hugo, his son Doyle Loutzenhiser and wife Pam of Stratton, daughter Penny Loutzenhiser of Thornton, Colorado, son Bob Kraxberger and his wife Tracy of Hugo, one brother Gregg Loutzenhiser and his wife Renee of Flagler, two sisters Joe Mix and her husband Bob of Colorado Springs, and Darlene Jewel and husband Jerry of Texas. He is also survived by nine nieces and nephews, five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, as well as a host of family and friends.