Duane Henry Steinert

Duane Henry Steinert  Duane Henry Steinert peacefully passed away on December 10, 2024.He died of natural causes at the age of 91.   He lived a rich, full life. Duane was born on September 6, 1933, in Tampa, KS, to Henry and Lydia (Schwemmer) Steinert.   He had a lot of pride in his hometown. Duane graduated from Tampa High School in 1951 and found work in the aircraft industry. Duane spent his entire career at Beechcraft until retiring in 1998.  Family was as important as they come to Duane. On December 9, 1972, he married Rosalie Bezdek in Wichita, KS. They were blessed with one son – Timothy Duane Henry Steinert – who was their pride and joy. Duane’s eyes would light up anytime Tim was around.  Duane was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tampa, and Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Wichita.   Sports was a way of life for Duane. You’d often find him watching a game. He was an avid fan of the University of Kansas men’s basketball team. He was a talented ballplayer too. Growing up, Duane enjoyed playing basketball, baseball and fast-pitch softball. He was the second-highest scoring basketball player in the state. Also, he and his brother were members of the Tampa City fast-pitch softball team that won the State Championship in 1956. You could still catch him tossing around the ball with his son and grandkids.  Duane had a sense of style with his suspenders and KC Royals baseball cap. He’d often have a cup of coffee in hand and saying something quirky, like “Ho! Ho! Ho!” He enjoyed maintaining his home and could navigate the kitchen making a beefy green bean casserole or Hillsboro sausage. On Monday nights, he and Tim had a tradition of getting a burger at Walt’s in Wichita and playing billiards – he was a bit of a shark. It’s no secret Duane had a sweet tooth, as he loved suckers, Hershey’s kisses and ice cream; he’d tell you to buy a small container, but you knew the big tub was exactly what he needed. Yet, nothing was as sweet at the sound of Tim and Duane revving up the green 1953 Ford pickup truck during their weekly drive. They’d often find luck at the casino too.  Duane was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his brother and sister-in-law, Wilbur (Woody) and Agnes Steinert. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Annette Steinert of Wichita, and three grandchildren: Henry, Brooklyn and Amelia Steinert.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tampa, KS.

A luncheon will follow the burial service at the Tampa Senior Center, 113 W. 3rd Street, Tampa, KS.