Alfred Duethman

Alfred E. Duethman age 89 of Paola passed away at his home on April 20, 2011. Memorials may be made to the Heartland Hospice or the St Mary"s Food Kitchen. Al was born on May 19, 1921 in Westphalia, Kansas to Joseph A. and Mary A. Osterholt Duethman. He graduated from Westphalia High School and attended Kansas State Teachers College. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and received his honorable discharge with a Bronze Star award in 1945. On February 13, 1947 he was united in marriage to Rita Mae Ruby in Garnett Kansas. Al taught school for 2 years in Garnett, before being employed with KCPL, for over 43 years .They moved to Paola in 1954 from Ottawa, where he became District Manager for KCPL ,retiring in 1985. His hobbies were woodworking, gardening, fishing, hunting, playing bridge, and golf, he was an avid KU , Royals , Chiefs fan and volunteered at the St. Mary"s Soup Kitchen for years. Al"s memberships were the Quarter Century Club of KCPL, Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Rita, brother Joseph, sister Theonilla Lutz and a grandson Joseph Kistler. He will be dearly missed by family and friends. Surviving are 4 daughters, Catherine A. Henderson and husband Lloyd of Overland Park, KS., Clare March and husband Hal of Lenexa KS., Barbara Hohenstein and husband Ron of Osawatomie, KS., Jeanne Kistler and husband Steve of Huntsville, MO., 12 grandchildren, Jane Howard and her husband Ken, Bart Peace, Jenna Roediger and husband Lee, Carrie Connolly and husband Kurt, Ben March, Annie Peace and husband Aaron Bowyer, Stefanie Sanchez and husband Matthew, Sam Peace and wife Andrea, Karen Thrasher and husband Shane, Callie Benton and husband Justin, Beth Suso and husband Bakary and, Mollee March. 19 great grandchildren, Tyler, Emily, Lydia, Jacob, Rudy, Clare, Nick, Max, Mitch, Sophia, Tristan, Luke, Lauren, Angeleigh, Maggie, Henry, Scout, William, and Isabella, 1 twin brother Wilfred Duethman, and wife Willie, 2 sisters Mary Agnes Drum and husband Don, of Westphalia, KS., and Eileen Highburger of Salem Virginia. Holy Trinity Catholic Church Service: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 10:00 AM Visitation: Monday, April 25, 2011 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM