Duane A. "Duke" Lewandowski

Duane A. “Duke” Lewandowski, 68, of Ashton, died Thursday, May 16, 2019, at his farm, surrounded by his loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Josaphat's Catholic Church in Loup City. The Rev. Richard L. Piontkowski will celebrate the Mass. Duke requested that everyone dress casually. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. vigil service and Knights of Columbus rosary. Peters Funeral Home of Loup City is assisting the family. Mr. Lewandowski was born on March 18, 1951, at Loup City, the son of Emil and Mildred (Nevrivy) Lewandowski. Duke grew up on the family farm northeast of Sherman Lake. He attended District No. 56 Sherman County rural school and was a 1969 graduate of Central Catholic High School in Loup City. He married Sheila Cramer on Nov. 11, 1978, at Loup City. The couple later divorced. As a young man he began farming, which he continued to do until the day he died. Also, over the years he worked construction, as a mechanic at Whiteway Garage in Ashton and owned and operated the Sunset Lounge in Loup City. Duke was affectionately referred to as the “Mayor of Schaupps” by his family and friends. He was a very kind and thoughtful man that called his mother daily. He was a member of St. Josaphat's Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council No. 5455. He enjoyed farming, hunting, raising sweetcorn, his cats and gambling. But, first and foremost he loved his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Misty and Nick Mitchell of Coalville, UT; step-sons, Jim Ummel, Jr. and Jason and Amy Ummel, all of Grand Island; his mother, Mildred Lewandowski of Loup City; four grandchildren, McKenzie Ummel, Maddie Ummel, Owen Mitchell and Liam Mitchell; one great-grandson, Royal Ummel; sister, Karen Burnett of Berwyn; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Kathy Lewandowski of Ashton; niece, Kristi and Mike Klein of St. Paul; and nephew, Scott Lewandowski of Ashton. He was preceded his father, Emil Lewandowski; son, Dustin Lewandowski; brother, Richard Lewandowski; and brother-in-law, Dennis Burnett. Memorials are suggested to St. Josaphat's Catholic Church or St. Jude Children's Hospital.