PANTER, Duane “Pete”

Duane “Pete” Panter, 80 years of age from Hildreth, Nebraska died on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Pete was born on July 20, 1931 in Athol, Kansas to Clyde and Delilah (Cannon) Panter. He grew up in the Athol, KS and graduated from Athol High School in 1948. Pete served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 until 1955 during the Korean War. He served abroad the USS Tortuga. On January 29, 1956 he married Lela Gersterkorn. The family moved to Hildreth in 1966. Pete worked at the Co-op's in Hildreth, Keene and Minden as their fertilizer and station manager until his retirement. During his life he enjoyed playing men's slow-pitch softball, was an avid bowler and golfer and enjoyed Kansas City Royal Baseball. He served on the Hildreth Vol. Fire Dept. for 31 years and was instrumental in bringing the fireworks display to the 4th of July celebration in Hildreth. Also, he umpired American Legion Baseball and was a member of the “Chain Gang” for 32 years during Hildreth football games. After retirement, he was an officer in both his navy ship organization and his high school alumni association. He enjoyed planning and attending Navy reunions across the United States and regular high school reunions in Athol. His last Navy reunion he attended was three weeks ago in Indiana. Memorials are suggested to the Hildreth Volunteer Fire Department or the American Legion Post 52 baseball program. Survivors include his children, son Steve Panter of Hildreth, daughter, Jacquie Slagle and husband, Joe of Kearney, son Joel Panter and wife, Denise of Holdrege and daughter, Mileah Nickel and husband, Chad of Axtell; twelve grandchildren, Cecilee Panter, Moriah Panter, Ashlee Clark, Connor Slagle, Cole Slagle, Aaron Svoboda, Adam Svoboda, Zach Svoboda, Gabrielle Nickel, Emme Nickel, Mia Nickel and Cadie Nickel; sister Betty Smith and husband, Arthur of Athol and brother, Dee Panter and wife, Rosanne of Elkhart, Kansas. He is preceded in death by two nephews. Funeral services will be on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 10:30 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth with Revs. Patti and Steve Byrne officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Pleasant View Cemetery near Athol, Kansas. Visitation will be at the Jelden-Craig Funeral Home in Hildreth on Wednesday from 3-5 and 7-8 p.m.