Duane Fruechting
Duane Lee Fruechting, 68, died May 5, 2004, at his home near Plains.
Born Oct. 18, 1935, at Hillsboro, he was the son of Les and Ada (Krueger) Fruechting.
He grew up on a farm near Aulne, and graduated from Marion High School in 1953.
In 1959, he received a bachelor of science degree in ornamental horticulture from Kansas State University.
On May 27, 1956, he married Gloria Vail at Plains United Methodist Church.
The couple began farming near Plains in 1957, with Gloria's stepfather, Laverne Behnke. Over the years, Duane's unique farm interests and hobbies included 6,000 laying hens, irrigation farming, raising popcorn, landscaping, ostriches, Austrian pine nursery stock, Bermuda grass, stained glass projects, custom-making ostrich leather products, hedgehogs, cattle, Persian cats, hunting, and fishing.
Community and church involvement was an important part of his life. He and Gloria opened their home to Brazilian farm trainees, a Chilean political refugee family, a foreign exchange student, and a Vietnamese refugee family.
He was a member of Plains United Methodist Church, serving in innumerable capacities. He was an active member of the Lions Club for 39 years, Plains Equity Exchange board of directors for 20 years, Meade County Farm Bureau, FMHA Council, and West Plains Township Board.
He was dedicated to his family, rarely missing a piano recital, school music program, band concert, ball game, or Christmas play.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Gloria; a son and daughter-in-law, Vail and Pam Fruechting of Pratt; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Jack Metzger of Berryton and Julee and Gary Schmidt of Meade; three brothers, Don and Jim of Marion, and twin brother, Dwight of Salina; and eight grandchildren.
