Duane M

Reber

Duane M. Reber, 67, of Portis, Kansas, passed from this life on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas. A graveside service will be held Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Cemetery.

Duane Merle Reber was born October 30, 1958, in lowa City, IA, to Willis and Stella (Yutzy) Reber. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister Patricia, and brother Daryl. He is survived by his brothers Dale (Debbie) of Abilene, TX, and Dean (Karen) of Midland, TX; sister-in-law Kim Reber of Mertzon, TX; nieces and nephews D'Nae (Jonathan) Anding of Redding, CA; Brittany Reber of Mertzon, TX; Luke Reber of Mertzon, TX; Catherine Reber of Austin, TX; James Reber of Midland, TX; great-niece Braylee Reber of Mertzon, TX; and many cousins and dear friends he made along his journey.

Duane attended primary schools at Mid-Prairie, Washington Township, and Parnell, Iowa, and secondary schools at Williamsburg, Iowa, and Talpa-Centennial in Texas, where he graduated in 1977. From there, he went on to attend Texas A & I University and Southern Utah State University. He herded sheep in Utah, delivered fertilizer in Idaho, drove a truck delivering mattresses from Bozeman to Chicago, and delivered propane in Montana, including to Peter Fonda's house. He said Mrs. Fonda was a very kind lady who baked excellent cookies. He also worked on farms and ranches in various states, was known as the Tomato Man in Glasgow, MT, and constantly studied soil, plant, and animal health. He finally achieved his dream of ranching his own herd over 20 years ago and did so until he sold his herd and retired less than two years ago. At that time, he left western Nebraska and moved to Portis, KS.

Duane was always a bit of a walking encyclopedia; he seemed never to forget a name, a story, or anything he read or learned from someone else. He loved to talk, and he could pretty much go non-stop for hours without many pauses.

He was the best fur trapper from a family of government trappers and fur trappers. He knew the animals and their habits, and the varmints didn't stand much of a chance. He walked traplines from his youth, with a pack on his back and a rifle in hand. He became a genuine mountain man, even to the point of sleeping in the snow without shelter while pursuing mountain river beaver. One time darkness caught him in the mountains, and he lost his way. With no jacket, he kept moving through the night to keep warm. At some point, a snuffling bear came close, but neither interfered with the other. Another time, he was in the high country trapping, and he stayed a bit too long. The snow was too deep to continue trapping, but his pickup wouldn't start, so he and his dog Rusty walked 28 miles out of Copper Basin, Idaho.

Duane was persuaded that no finer vehicles were ever produced than 1970s-era Ford pickups. If eating could have been a career, Duane would have applied. He was a man of his word, and he was unwilling to abide foolishness. He was a dedicated Missouri Synod Lutheran for most of his adult life and was a staunch Defender of the Faith.