Melvin L. Duensing

Melvin Lavern Duensing, 89, of Marysville, Kan., died Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.Visitation was Tuesday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary. The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m.A funeral service was at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 20 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Marysville. Rev. Philip Miller  officiated.  Carol Wright was organist.  Music  included "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", "Heaven is My Home", "You Are Mine", "Amazing Grace" and "Abide With Me".The pallbearers were Ryan Swenson, Brian Duensing, Kevin Swenson, Ben Swenson, Landon Wright and Garrison Wright.The honorary pallbearers were Erin Palladino, Jenna Jimerson, Rachel Barraza, Hannah Elsey and Olivia Wright.Burial followed in the Marysville City Cemetery.Melvin was born on January 6, 1929, on the family farm near Odell, Neb., the son of Henry and Hulda (Schotte) Duensing. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and attended the church school.On May 9, 1954, he married Arlene Lohse at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bremen, Kan. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this past May. They were the parents of four children, Denise, Kent, Laurie and Beth.Melvin was employed for 40 years by the local John Deere dealerships. He raised cattle and farmed in the Bremen and Marysville areas and was also a co-owner of the Eastside Car Wash for many years. He served his country in the Kansas National Guard in the 1950's and was active in the local Kiwanis Club. As an active member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Melvin was a Sunday School teacher for 29 years and served in various capacities including Sunday School Superintendent, Men's Club, an Elder, and sang in the choir for 60 years. He had a kind and generous spirit and helped others as needed. His grandchildren's activities brought him much enjoyment.Survivors include his wife, Arlene; children, Denise (Richard) Swenson of Concordia, Kan., Kent (Shari) Duensing of Omaha, Neb., Laurie (Robin) Wright of Beattie, Kan., and Beth (Douglas) Helmke of Tecumseh, Kan.; eleven grandchildren, Ryan Swenson, Kevin Swenson, both of Concordia, Kan., Ben (Jennifer) Swenson, Phillipsburg, Kan., Brian (Lisa) Duensing, Elkhorn, Neb., Erin (Justin) Palladino, Jenna (Sean) Jimerson, all of Omaha, Neb., Landon (Erin) Wright, Olivia Wright, Marysville, Garrison Wright, Bloomington, Minn., Rachel (Alan) Barraza, Burlington, Kan., Hannah (Samuel) Elsey, Topeka, Kan.; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Verneda (Gerald) Gerdes; sister-in-law, Marcine Duensing; and brother-in-law, Vern Tjaden.He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arlin Duensing; sisters, Lorna Riggert and Leona Tjaden; brother-in-law, Erwin Riggert; and great grandchildren, Maria Wright and Colton Wright.A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melvin L. Duensing, please visit our flower store.