Duane Perry “DP” Custer was born on September 9, 1930 in Lynch, Nebraska and passed on August 5, 2023 in Topeka Kansas at the glorious age of 92! Duane grew up in Lynch, Arnold and Broken Bow Nebraska before moving with his family to Holbrook where he graduated from high school with the class of 1948.

In 1951, Duane was requested by Uncle Sam to serve his country during the Korean Conflict. He served and reenlisted several times, retiring in 1990 with the rank of Master Sergeant, the highest rank for an NCO, with 26 years of military service and 40 total years in civil service. He proudly served in the Big Red One, Infantry 1st Division in Fort Riley earning several commendations and awards. He often talked about his three children all being born in separate military hospitals during his years of service. He had two tours of duty in Germany that allowed him to travel Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain and everywhere in between. His military service included a 13-month tour in Korea where he encountered his first and last combat mission when a group of nine men went on patrol and became lost but were found by “friendlies.” He considered it an honor to serve and a place where he met many lifelong friends.

In his civilian life, Duane worked many years in sales and property management until 2006. Never a person with hobbies or to sit around, he went to work in 2008 in customer service at Walmart on 37th in Topeka so he could meet even more people. He earned the title “Candy Man” as he would purchase candy to hand out to customers as they entered the store and heard the familiar “Welcome to Walmart” greeting. During visits to doctors and hospitals, many people would remark that they remembered him from his time at Walmart. Duane was honored as an Outstanding Associate at his local store which earned him recognition and a vacation trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas to represent his store at the shareholders meeting. He was the current President of the Residents’ Council at Celebration Villa where he served all the residents and continued his tradition of giving away candy to everyone he met.

With his many years in working with people, he remembered people by name even into his final days. He epitomized the old saying “he never met a stranger,” and he cherished those relationships.

Duane married Ida Marie (Haag) in a double wedding ceremony in 1952. Children Duane Lee, Sherri Lynn (Douglas) and David Perry were born to this union. In 1977 he married Sarah Mae (Marn) and welcomed step children Debra Kay (Fuller) Goddard and Dennis Delbert Fuller.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Rose, sister Helen, brothers Don, Dennis and Jene, wives Ida and Sarah and step daughter Debra.

He is survived by children Duane (Barbara) of Salina, Sherri (Gary) Douglas of Topeka, David (Karen) of Cambridge, Nebraska and step son Dennis Fuller (Laurie) of Topeka; grandchildren Shane Ruse, Tyler Custer, Lindsay Custer, Kyle Custer, Brian Custer, January (Fuller) Gustafason, Derek Fuller, Destiny Fuller; great grandchildren Zachary, Amirah, Janie, Jayden, Jaxon, Amarion; great-great grandson Joshua; sisters-in-law Carmen Custer, McCook, NE and Barbara Custer, Lincoln, NE; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the Dove Cremation and Funeral Services Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka. The service will include military honors. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. There will be a luncheon after the service from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Dove Southwest Chapel.

Duane's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service

Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.

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