Howard Dufford

Hastings resident, Howard E. Dufford, 94, of 1100 N. 6th Avenue, College View Assisted Living, died Saturday, January 19, 2008 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.

Celebration of life with Masonic Rites will be Saturday, January 26, 2008; 10:00 A.M. at Butler-Volland Chapel with Gordon Whitten officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. Visitation will be Friday, January 25, 2008; 9A.M.-8P.M. with family present from 6P.M.-8P.M. & Saturday, January 26, 2008, 1 hr. prior to service at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Shriners Children's Hospital or Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children.

Mr. Dufford was born Andrew Simshauer on January 17, 1914 in Miller, Nebraska. At the age of 10, he was adopted by Loid L. & Lottie (Orton) Dufford and was given the name, Howard Edward Dufford. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1932 and married Viola B. Tippetts on September 22, 1935 in Franklin, Nebraska. She preceded him in death on August 6, 2006. He worked as a salesman and warehouse price clerk for government bids at Dutton-Lainson Company from 1934-1942. From 1942-1947, he was the Senior Administrative Assistant to the office in charge of construction for the Navy Ammunition Depot. He then worked as a traveling salesman, selling windmills & farm machinery for Beatrice Nebraska Dempster Mill Industries Inc. from 1947-1979. In 1960, he moved to the home office in Beatrice, where he held titles of Supervisor of warehouses, Branch Manager and was also in charge of military contracts. He retired in 1979 and returned to Hastings in September of 2006. Mr. Dufford was a past member of the Hastings High football team, Beatrice Lodge #619 B.P.O. Elks, & Hastings & Beatrice square dancing clubs. He was a past Sergeant in the Army National Guard Company G 134th Infantry. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice. He was a current member of Mid-West Lodge #317 A.F.& A.M. and also the U.C.T for 60 years. He was an avid fan and attended University of Nebraska, Lincoln, football games from 1960 until 2002. He enjoyed square dancing, gardening, hunting and fishing. After retiring, Howard and Viola enjoyed visiting relatives, vacationing in Colorado, and attending baseball spring training games in Florida. He always looked at the brighter side of life, joking with wisdom about any problem or criticism.

Mr. Dufford was preceded in death by his parents; wife Viola; & two great grandchildren.

Survivors include:
Daughter & Son-in-law: Karlay & Dr. Richard Hutchins - Hastings, NE
Grandchildren & Spouses: Thad & Rachel Hegwood - Omaha, NE
Dr. Karry & Gordon Whitten - Omaha, NE
Trista & Kai Frederick - Sacramento, CA
Step Grandchildren & Spouse: Barbara Hutchins - Minneapolis, MN
Robert & Vivian Hutchins - Tucson, AZ
Great Grandchildren: 5 Step Great Grandchildren: 2