Duane Harvey Gugler

Duane Harvey Gugler, 97, Salina, KS passed away January 27, 2021. He was born November 21, 1923 in Junction City, to Harvey Leroy and Jennie Esther (Knopp) Gugler. Duane attended Carry Creek and Rinehart elementary schools in Dickinson County, graduated from Dickinson County Community High School in Chapman in 1943 and Missouri Auction School in 1964.

He married Helen L. Boggs of Ellsworth on May 27, in Wichita at the Methodist Church. They resided in Woodbine where they were blessed with two daughters, Sharon and Brenda (Angel). The couple moved to the rural Lyona community to farm and resided there until moving to Salina in 1992.

Duane was a farmer, auctioneer and car salesman in Geary and Dickinson counties. He started farming in 1942 with 120 acres of wheat and a new tractor purchased for about $1,800. He held assorted truck driving jobs during the fall and winter months, including working on the construction of Webster Dam. In 1952 Duane started selling cars for the Ford dealership in Herington, KS and continued to farm. In 1955 he was offered a salesman job at the Pontiac dealership in Herington. Through the years Duane owned five small used car lots and Gugler Sales Company. He enjoyed auctioning at horse sales at the sale barn in Junction City, consignment sales, estate sales, and other auctions. Through the years Duane owned five small used car lots and Gugler Sales Company. In 1971, Duane and Helen received the Kansas Bankers Award for soil conservation practices in Geary County. In 1990, Duane was awarded the Kansas Bankers Award in Dickinson County for soil and water conservation at the Harvey Gugler farm.

He enjoyed coon and coyote hunting, raising greyhounds and American Saddle horses, collecting belt buckles, woodworking, light metal fabrication, and playing pitch with friends. Duane and Helen enjoyed traveling. Duane was a former member of the National Auctioneers Association, Kansas Auctioneers Association, BPO Elks, Silver Spur Saddle Club in Chapman and a charter member of the Woodbine Lyons Club. Duane was a member of the Lyona United Methodist Church and attended University United Methodist Church after moving to Salina. He and Helen returned often to Lyona to worship and have lunch with friends. Duane looked forward to the preparation of the sausage at Lyona’s Annual Ground Hog Supper and being a “runner” for University Methodist Church’s annual funnel cake booth.

He is survived by his daughters, Sharon Cooper (Stevan) of Chase and Brenda “Angel” Kerr (Jim) of Concordia; four grandchildren: Crystal Kerr, Jade Kerr, Susan Dumler (Matt), and Shelley Bohme (Andrew); 11 great-grandchildren: Julia, Jadyn, Lilah, Miles, Violet, August, Bryson, Braelyn, Benjamin, Cooper, and Lucille; and sister-in-law Margaret Martinitz Hutchison. Duane was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Helen.

Due to restrictions on gatherings, a memorial service is not planned at this time. A private family interment will take place at Lyona United Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Lyona United Methodist Church or the University United Methodist Church in Salina, KS, in care of Londeen-Overlease Funeral Chapel, PO Box 411, Chapman, KS 67431.