Obituary of Ethel Duncan

Ethel Lena (Schwindt) Duncan was born on September 7th, 1915 near Bison, Kansas to John and Elizabeth Schwindt. She departed this life to her heavenly home on February 20, 2013 at the age of 97, surrounded by her family. On October 2, 1936 Ethel married Carl Jessie Duncan. Four children, Eugene, Anna, Everett, and Shirley completed their family. Ethel lived a busy and fulfilling life. Even though at times it was challenging, Ethel made the best of each situation. She had a great sense of humor and was always ready to give her opinion on any number of things. It was always very important to Ethel to have family meals together whenever possible. This was the time for great food and good laughs. We will all remember Ethel's wonderful cooking and her insistence on washing the dishes! Ethel worked hard all her life to help meet the needs of her family. She was Carl's 2nd hand in Logan County on the Moot farm, a manager at a dancing studio in Denver, a social worker for ARVAC, and a bus driver and kitchen and craft helper at the Senior Center in Clarksville, AR. Ethel fondly remembered each job and all the wonderful people she met while working at each place. A funny memory she had from the Senior Center, was when she was "deemed too old to drive", she went to work in the kitchen. However, shortly thereafter the new bus driver became ill so Ethel had to hit the road again. All ended well and Ethel went back to the kitchen. When Ethel finally retired, around the age of 83, she was able to do some traveling. A couple of trips she fondly remembered were the trips to Germany with her grand-daughter-in-law Heidi, and a train trip from Nebraska to the West Coast with her two daughters, Anna and Shirley and son-in-law Luke. The last 14 months of Ethel's life were spent in Lindsborg, KS with Shirley and Luke. She loved to sit by the kitchen window and look out at their flower garden, watching all the birds at the feeders and the squirrels going round and round on the squirrel feeder on the tree. She was often heard saying how good God was to give people such pretty things to look at, and one of her favorite quotes when taking in the wonder of nature was "only God can make a tree." She would have loved the snow that graced the landscape the night she was called home. Ethel will be missed greatly. Her love for her family is evidenced by all the letters and notes she lovingly wrote to many family members and friends, and how proud she was of all her children to her great-great grandchildren. We will miss her sense of humor, her quick wit, and all the valuable information she had tucked away in her always inquisitive mind. Ethel was preceded in death her husband Carl, son Everett, daughter Anna, and grandson Kelly Joe. She is survived by her sister Minnie Nicoll, Denver, CO, her son Eugene Duncan, Coal Hill, Arkansas, and daughter Shirley (Luke)Robinson of Lindsborg, KS, 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 39 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday March 1, 6 to 8 PM at the Clarksville Funeral Home Chapel, Funeral services will be Saturday March 2, at 10 AM at the Clarksville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Joe Lochridge officiating. Burial will follow at the Hess Cemetery in Coal Hill. Funeral Arrangements under the loving care and direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. Memorials May be Made to The Johnson County Senior Activity Center.