Duane ‘Deanie’ Gene Jespersen, age 80, of Mesa, Arizona passed away Sunday, February 7, 2021, at the Banner Baywood Heart Hospital, Mesa, Arizona with his wife, Barbara, by his side.
Duane was born May 7, 1940 in Alliance, Nebraska to Elvin ‘Pat’ and Mabel (Jordan) Jespersen. Duane grew up on the family farm southwest of Hemingford, Nebraska with his older sister, Devona, and older brother Darwin. He graduated from Hemingford High School, Class of 1958. Duane attended college at Rapid City Business College in Rapid City, South Dakota for a short time when he realized his true feelings and wanted to follow his dream to farm.
On August 19, 1962, Duane was united in marriage to Barbara Boness at Saint John’s United Lutheran Church, ELCA, in Alliance, Nebraska and blessed to have been married 58 years. He was a member of the St. John’s United Lutheran Church, Alliance, Nebraska, and Victory Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona. They began their married life living in the house built in 1906 by Duane’s grandfather, Jesper Jespersen, on the Lone Tree Ranch homestead southwest of Hemingford where they farmed, raised cattle, and later added pigs to their farm operation. In 1976 they built a larger home on the same place to raise their family. To this union six children were born Dawn, Dana, Danette, Darin born August 24, 1972 and died at four days, Darby, and Derrick.
In 2000 Duane and Barb began going to Mesa, Arizona for the winter months where they enjoyed the ‘Valley of the Sun’, and later moved to Mesa. In 2008 they retired from farming, then would return from Mesa every summer to help their sons with the farm work, attended the grandchildren’s school activities, and visited with family and friends. Duane especially enjoyed operating the combine during the wheat and corn harvests. He served on the Hemingford Federal Credit Union Board, 1974-1985.
Those left to cherish and honor Duane’s memory are his wife, Barbara, Mesa, Arizona, five children and their spouses, twelve grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Dawn and Will Fiscus, Cheyenne, Wyoming; children, Jessica Fiscus and Christopher Seid, Cheyenne, Wyoming, children Dameon Fiscus and Fionna Seid at home; Justin Fiscus and Breanne Ramirez, Torrington, Wyoming. Dana Jespersen, Alliance, Nebraska; son, Brennan Jespersen, Alliance, Nebraska. Danette and Henry Holguin, Gilbert, Arizona; her children Danae Hefty, Chandler, Arizona, Devin Hefty and Draysen Hefty, Gilbert, Arizona. Darby and Autumn Jespersen, Hemingford, Nebraska; children, Tarin Jespersen, Hemingford, Nebraska; Kage Jespersen, Lincoln, Nebraska; and Storm Jespersen, Chadron, Nebraska. Derrick and Cassie Jespersen, Hemingford, Nebraska; children, Rayne, Kyra, and Rye Jespersen at home. Duane’s sister and brother-in-law, Devona and George Tschacher, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Also, many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Duane was preceded in death by their infant son, Darin Jesper Jespersen, grandson Dayne Jakob Hefty at 19 months, and born still granddaughter Jennica Mariah Jespersen. His parents, Elvin ‘Pat’ and Mabel (Jordan) Jespersen, brother Darwin Jespersen, sister-in-law Shirley Jespersen, and sister-in-law Carol Jespersen. His wife’s parents, Allen Boness and Rosezella (Boness) Langmacher, brother-in-law Jerry Boness, and sister-in-law Twila Boness.
A memorial celebration of Duane’s life and living will be held in the summer at the family farm. Cards may be mailed to Barbara Jespersen, 5028 E. Flossmoor Avenue, Mesa, Arizona, 85206. Memorial donations may be sent to Legacy of the Plains Museum, 2930 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, Nebraska 69341, c/o Duane Jespersen.