Duane Eugene Rutherford

December 24, 1934 - December 29, 2020

Duane Eugene Rutherford, age 86, of Central City, died on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Litzenberg Memorial/Long Term Care in Central City, Nebraska. Visitation will be Friday, January 8, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. A private family service will be later. His final resting place will be at the Central City Cemetery. Duane Eugene was born on December 24, 1934 in Carson, Iowa to Robert and Helen (Chancellor) Rutherford. In 1937, the family moved to Central City where they engaged in the farm and dairy business. Duane began his education in acountry school near their home and then on to the Central City Public School. On November 21, 1952, Duane married Ida Mae Flodman, during this union of thirty- three years seven children were born. Upon leaving school, Duane went to work for Hord’s Elevator and then the Central City Electric Company. He began a lifetime career in 1959 when Ned Carlsonapproached him and asked if he would like tocome work for him at Standard Oil.After 14 years, he took over the company and in 1975; he purchased Standard Oil renaming it Rutherford Oil. In the early 1980’s he was busy driving a truck for Bob Grigsby, and after some years, he became a custodian for the Central City High School. He served in that capacity for many years until retiring in 2001. In January of 2002, he began working at the Central City Mall, where he stocked shelves and sacked groceries with a smile until April 2013 when his health no longer allowed. He was determined to keep as active as he could and was always seen walking his dog Lacey. Duane was very passionate about promoting and supporting his community. This showed in the terms he served, six years on the City Council and as Mayor of Central City from 1982-1986. He was also very involved with the volunteer fire department and served as a volunteer fireman for over 17 years. In his younger years, Duane was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and air boating. Later in life, his hobbies included…gardening and yardwork, he was always known to have a beautiful yard, and was a master and passionate at doing woodwork. He took pride in remodeling his homes and making birdhouses or squirrel feeders. He had a special love for wildlife and feeding the birds and squirrels and watching all their antics from his window. He loved watching sports as well, Tom Brady was his favorite professional football player, baseball was a passion, and he loved watching the college world series each year and the Nebraska Huskers. Duane also loved his dogs. However, his most cherished pastime was spending time with his family and catching up on what each one was doing. He could not have been more proud of every single one. Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Elizabeth Ann Wanamaker of Goose Creek, SC; Shane Scott (Cindy) Rutherford of Beatrice; Dawn Marie Mohlman of Blue Hill; Robin Renee(Ted) Stade of Kenesaw; Tracy Lynn (Adam) Dahlke of Central City; Shawn Michael (Jennifer) Rutherford of Central City; his sisters; Doris Fuehrer of Central City; Shirley (Chadd) Newby of Central City; one brother; Larry (Robin) Rutherford of Vista, CA, one sister-in-law; Carolyn Rutherford of Sacramento, CA, 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant son; Lance Robert Rutherford, brothers; Lowell Dean Rutherford and Robert Lee Rutherford, brother-in-law; August “Rusty” Fuehrer, son-in-law; Carlyle Eugene Wanamaker,Jr. and his beloved pets; Lacey (his dog) and Bud-Fred (the bobtail cat). Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated later. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com.