Duane E. Devitt

Hastings resident Duane E. Devitt, 77, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, December 14, 2023, with his loving wife by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.

Memorial Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 21, at Butler Volland Chapel in Hastings with Chaplain Lisa Ewald officiating. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date.

Duane was born December 20, 1945, in Davenport, NE to Donald and Clara (Moore) Devitt. He lived in Deweese, NE until the age of six, when the family moved to Edgar, NE where he attended school. He then became a Hastings resident for the remainder of his life.

With great pride and craftsmanship, he owned and operated Duane’s Welding Service for many years until retiring in 2015. He owned the land next to his welding shop which is known as KAM Raceway. Duane loved racing both motorcycles and micro midget race cars and was proud to be a very active part of the organization. The many friends and acquaintances made with his racing career, are special to him.

Duane had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed many interests. He was an accomplished self-taught gunsmith who owned Duane’s Gunsmithing during an earlier part of his life. He enjoyed many types of hunting, especially the annual Colorado elk hunting trips. He also enjoyed fishing and camping at Lovewell Lake for many years with family and friends. During retirement he also pursued his interest in engraving, becoming quite accomplished, and created some beautiful pieces.

Being friends for many years prior, Duane and Jan Blauvelt began a beautiful, meaningful relationship as a couple and eventually married. They enjoyed and appreciated each other immensely, mutually finding the love of each other's life during their “ golden years”. You will be sorely missed, my dear!

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Jan; two sons, Mike and David Devitt; step-daughter, Linda Morgan; step-son, Tony (Jill Wilson) Blauvelt; sister, Jan (Steve) Griffith; brother, Ron Devitt; grandson, Trenton (Kassandra) Devitt; great-grandchildren, Kirsten and Karson Devitt; Kassandra’s children, Izak, Kody and Amelia; one niece, Tiffany Devitt; and two very special nephews, Jason and Brian Griffith.