Dr. Duane (Doc) Hughes
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Dr. Duane (Doc) E. Hughes, 91, passed away peacefully at Dougherty Hospice on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
A memorial service will take place at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Duane was born to Ray and Alpha (Stockstad) Hughes on the farm outside of Gettysburg on August 5, 1930. He was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Evangelical Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, SD.
Duane graduated from Gettysburg High School (1948), South Dakota State University (1952) and the University of Minnesota with the degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (1956). During that time, Duane married the love of his life, Venoye Bieber, on September 13, 1953. Their first home was a one room apartment in Minneapolis. While Duane finished his final years of school, Venoye worked for the FBI. During this time, their daughter, Renee, was also born. Following graduation, Duane moved his family back to South Dakota. At the time, his family and all their belongings fit into a station wagon. Duane, with Venoye by his side, started and operated a large animal veterinary practice in Herried, SD. Duane would run farm calls every day while Venoye would not only take care of the household but also take care of and operate the veterinary office. Duane obviously had the better part of this deal and perhaps that is one of the multitude of reasons why Duane would remind everyone that the best decision in his life was asking Venoye to marry him. In 1966, Duane & Venoye moved their family to the Bieber Family homestead (coincidently, Venoye's birthplace) south of Java, SD. For twenty years, Duane operated the ranch with the help of his family while he was also employed by the State of South Dakota. First, as an inspector and then the office of State Veterinarian in Pierre. Duane's dedication, work ethic, and strong moral guidance earned him the respect and admiration of the veterinarians and agricultural producers he served. He was awarded South Dakota Veterinarian of the Year in 1981. Following "retirement" as the State Veterinarian, he moved to Sioux Falls to be inspecting veterinarian for the Sioux Falls Stockyards for twelve years.
A deep love for the land, of raising and caring for cattle, and of serving people was the embodiment of 'Doc Hughes'. His example of hard work, integrity, and an abiding trust in God's Providence are the values he taught to his family and friends. But the very best of himself he gave to his wife, Venoye. " The very best decision of his life"! A love story that began when a young man, who wasn't a singer, joined the church choir so he could spend time getting to know a beautiful, brown eyed young woman who had caught his attention. And as they say, "The rest is history!"
The Duane and Venoye Hughes Family Legacy:
Grateful to have shared his life are his wife of 69 years, Venoye (Bieber), and his five children: Renee (Tom) White; Connie (Dennis) Lewis; Kent (Miriam Svaren); Kieth (Jeanette McCormick); and Carol (Steve) Smith.
16 grandchildren: Reagan (Meghan) Clemensen, Robyn (Rob) Green, Sara (Keith) Rasmussen, Chelsea (Reggie) Kuipers, Daniel (Danielle) Hughes, David (Mallory) Hughes, Kyle Hughes, Heidi (Mark) Watje, Kayla (Logan) Harms, Alex (Sophie) Hughes, Sam (McKinsey) Smith, Marah (Shane) Van Diest, Luke (Alexis) Smith, Erin, AnneMarie, and Isaac Smith and 21 great-grandchildren. Duane is survived by two sisters; LaVere Huber, Aberdeen, SD and Karen (Michael) Mullins, Madison, WI.
Duane is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Alpha; his brothers, Milton and Derald; his brother-in-law, Harvey Huber and niece, Sandy Schanzenbach.
Memorials will be directed to the SD Veterinary Medical Association and Avera Dougherty Hospice.
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