Duane Keffeler was born May 9, 1933 to Bud and Mae Keffeler while they were living at Alkali, SD. Duane joined an older sister, Darleen. Years later two more children joined the family, Kay and Roger to complete the family. To their pride and joy, all four children spent their lives ranching in Meade County and many of their children are ranching into the next generation.

The family bought a ranch and moved to Enning, SD in 1942. Duane and Darleen rode horseback to the Pellegrin school southeast of the place.

Duane met Sharon Griffith at a Marcus dance and they were wed June 25, 1961. They started their life in a “shack” with no running water on Red Owl Creek. In 1965 they moved to the “Shoun” place where they spent their lives ranching and visiting with family and friends. You were always welcomed into their house, offered food and drink, and encouraged to stay around for a good visit which probably included a “breezy” or two. They were married 59 years when Sharon passed in 2021.

Duane knew his heart belonged to ranching and dedicated his whole life to that work. He always had a plan on how to improve his herd or expand his ranch land. He was especially proud when he purchased some land on Sulphur Creek and loved the shelter it provided to get his cattle off what he referred to as “hurricane hill”.

Duane did some auctioneering throughout the years. He auctioned at various sale barns in the early years, helped out at some community softball tournaments, and on occasion auctioned a garter or two. He helped Russell Burmeister at many auction sales. It became a family joke that the boxes he would bring home after the sale would line one side of the shed and never move.

Duane enjoyed sports. He loved playing baseball for Marcus in his younger years, then took to coaching basketball for the Red Owl Hooters. After the grandkids came along, he looked forward to every game he could attend! He was especially proud to attend a game coached by grandson Jade.

Making their lives and home full of activity were their two children – Joy and Jay De Keffeler, along with daughter in law Dana (Matt) Keffeler. Then their greatest fun came along---grandkids! Boy they were all about those grandkids…so long rules!! Dad was delighted if he could take a grandkid along to move cows (or just a cow, or two) with his 4-wheeler. In his last years he spent a lot of time in his side-by-side checking things out and popping in on his family members and grabbing a snack or two for the ride home.

Preceding him in death was his wife Sharon, his parents Bud and Mae (McPherson) Keffeler, brother Roger Keffeler, sister Kay King, brother-in-law Chick Simons, mother-in-law Violet (Olsen) Griffith, father-in-law Loyd Griffith and brother-in-law Jerry Griffith.

Remembering his larger-than-life presence and his unique “catch phrases”, are his children Jay De (Dana) Keffeler and Joy Keffeler. Grandchildren Jade (Kaitlyn) Keffeler, Jocelynn (Taylor) Mueller, Justine Keffeler and Caden (Jori) Smiley. Great grandkids Allie, Charlie, and Noah Smiley and Everleigh Keffeler. Sister Darleen Simons, sister-in-law Diane Keffeler, brother-in-law De King, son-in-law Rick Smiley along with numerous loved ones in extended family.

Duane passed away January 1, 2026 at Belle Estates where he had resided for the previous 4 years. Funeral services will be on January 10, 2026 at 11:30 at the CMCCC in Union Center with burial at White Owl Cemetery following lunch. Visitation will be at Kinkade Funeral home on January 9 from 5 to 7.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the Red Owl Volunteer Fire Department or the Rural Meade County Ambulance.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.