Dewey Lynn "Duke" Seems, 86, was born January 19, 1930 in Jewell County, KS, the son of Dewey A. and Irene (Rice) Seems. Duke departed this world on October 21, 2016 at his home in Smith Center.
Duke lived most of his early years on the family farm, rural Jewell County. He attended Dry Ridge School for 8 years and attended 1 year of Lebanon High School. Duke was united in marriage to Mary Jane Smith on February 2nd, 1949, to this union they were blessed with four children, Linda, Jerry, Teresa and Judy.
He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Smith Center, Saddle Club of Lebanon, Harness Hustlers of Ayr, NE and Jewell County Westernaires.
From an early age he loved animals, especially horses. He and his family belonged to many saddle clubs and enjoyed participating in horse shows and parades. Duke worked most of his adult life for the Lebanon Midway Co-op, retiring from there after 30 years of service in 1992 He didn't slow down after retirement and resumed helping friends with farming and harvesting. This was something he loved to do and recently stated to his family that he would love to be able to help farm and harvest again.
Duke's girls commented on how dad had such a cute little smile, he wouldn't say much, just sit and grin. He had a great sense of humor and loved pulling jokes on his grandkids and friends. He would always keep them guessing if he was serious or not.
After moving to Smith Center fourteen years ago, he seldom missed a football practice or Smith Center Redmen football game.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 67 years, Mary Jane Seems of Smith Center; three daughters, Linda Mans & husband Dave of Red Cloud, NE, Teresa Pruden & husband Richard of Smith Center, Judy Seems of Canton; a sister-in-law, Janet Seems of Smith Center; eleven grandchildren, Amiee Hoard, Chad (Tammi) Mans, Adam (Jackie) Mans, Sandy Swinehart, Soni Henson, Jeremy Seems, Rick (Joanna) Pruden, Robert (Sara) Pruden, Tracy (Sarah) Pruden, Tabatha (Tim) Deines, Gabe Griffith, twenty-five great grandchildren, Austin & Casey Shipman & Noah Hoard, Josi, Jami & Jerik Mans, Thatcher Mans, Josh & Cameron Houle, Maddie & Ellie Henson, Carliee Seems, Ben, Maddie, Lily, Avery, Isabel & Gabe Pruden, Emily, Ellie & Abby Pruden, Ava & Elliott Pruden, Jordan Wilson & Katie Deines, three great-great grandchildren, Rylan, Raidan and Renton and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son Jerry and daughter-in-law Evelyn, his parents, four sisters, Agatha Krumm, Helen Fields, Rosemary Paget and a infant sister Diane, two brothers, Leo and Alan Seems and numerous in-laws.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Smith Center, with Father David Michael - celebrant. A Rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, KS. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS. Memorials may be given to Hospice Services of Smith County and/ or Smith County Memorial Hospital Building Fund in care of the funeral chapel.