Duane Van Dolah

Duane Van Dolah, 61 died Monday, September 14, 2015 at his home in Garden City. He was born October 11, 1953 in Garden City the son of Gilbert & Clarice (French) Van Dolah.
Duane lived most of his life in Garden City. He attended Garden City schools and graduated from Garden City High School in 1971. He then Attended Garden City Community College, where he became a certified welder. On July 26, 1975, he married Jana Fuller in Hays, Kansas. He later married Susan Sperry Nichols on June 5, 1982 in Garden City. On January 8, 2005, Duane married Pat Stapleton Shank in Garden City. Duane has worked for the past 21 years as a welder and tool clerk for Palmer/Worthington Manufacturing. Prior to that he worked for the Garden City Telegram, Walls Grocery Store, Hinkle Tree Trimming, Oswalt Manufacturing, Brookover Mill and Feedlot, and he worked for Hesston Manufacturing while living in Hesston, Kansas.
He was a member of the Garden City Church of the Nazarene, the Botanica Gardens of Wichita, Great Plains Horticultural Society, Kansas Pond Society in Wichita, the Kansas Native Plant Society, Sand & Sage Gun Club, NRA, Friends of Lee Richarson Zoo, and the Finney County Historical Society. He previously was a member of the PTA of Garfield School, Garden City Tree Board, the Corvette Club, the Iris Club, and the Garden City Pond Society. Duane loved attending concerts, reading, working in his yard and ponds. He also enjoyed giving tours through his yard. His knowledge of plants and trees was unbelievable.
Survivors include his wife Pat Van Dolah of the Home; a son Heath Van Dolah of Garden City; four step-children Tony Nichols of Kismet, Ks., Jeff Nichols of Sterling, Ks., Carolyn States of Logan, Ks., and William Shank of Ellsworth, Ks.; and 6 step-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2015 at the Garden City Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Tim Fields officiating. Burial will follow at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday all at Garnand Funeral Home. The family requests memorials given to Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo or to Botanica Gardens of Wichita both in care of Garnand Funeral Home.