Duane W. Acklie, of Lincoln, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, September 17, 2016. Born December 14, 1931, he was raised as the only child of William and Irene Acklie in Madison County, Nebraska, Duane never forgot his farm boy roots. He attended Madison County schools and Norfolk Junior College, graduating in 1955 from the University Of Nebraska College Of Law. He went on to serve active duty as an Army Officer in Counter Intelligence from 1955 to 1957. Engaged in private practice of law from 1957 to 1972, he left law for the business of trucking and banking and served as Chairman of Crete Carrier Corporation, Bank First and related enterprises.
Duane served 20 years as Nebraska Republican National Committeeman and at local, national, and state levels from 1960 to 2016.
His numerous privately owned businesses and philanthropic ventures included: Acklie Charitable Foundation, Bank First, of Norfolk, Crete Carrier Corp., Shaffer Trucking, Hunt Transportation, Electronic Contracting Company, Farm & Home Agency, and First National Bank Northeast.
He served on the boards of American Trucking Association, Behlen Manufacturing Co. (Advisory Board), Union Bank and Trust Company, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Truckload Carriers Association, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and served as a board member and chair of the USO World Board of Governors. His many professional memberships and other boards included Chief Executive Organization, Nebraska Bankers Association, Nebraska State Bar Association, Nebraska Trucking Association, and Rotary Club No. 14, and the Round Table.
His previous boards and appointments included Nebraska State Highway Commission, Nebraska Economic Development Commission, Student Loan Marketing Association, Chairman/Board member- U.S. Mission to the United Nations Senior Advisor, Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation, Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Foundation, Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph, Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., Advisory Board- Duncan Aviation, Inc., FirsTier Financial, Inc.
Duane traveled through life and around the world with his beloved wife of 62 years, Phyllis. They raised three daughters, Dodie, Laura, and Holly, and enjoyed four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Family includes: loving wife, Phyllis; children, Laura (Jeff) Schumacher, Holly (Tonn) Ostergard, Hiro (Yuko) Nakajima; grandchildren, Halley (Chad) Kruse, Winston (Amanda) Ostergard, Andrew Schumacher, and Grant Schumacher; great-grandchildren, Avery and William Ostergard; sister in law, Bette Melcher; nephews, Chad (Candy) Melcher, Mark (Tracy) Melcher; niece, Amy Casky. Duane is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Dodie Acklie Nakajima; brother, Marvin; and brother in law, Ted Melcher.
Memorial Service will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday (9-22-16) at First Plymouth Congregational Church, 2000 D. St., with Rev. Dr. Jim Keck officiating. A visitation will be held Wednesday (9-21-16) from 2-7 p.m. at Roper and Sons Funeral Home, 4300 ‘O’ St., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. Private family interment at Wyuka Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Wyuka Historical Foundation, 3600 ‘O’ St., Lincoln, NE, 68510, for preservation and care of Wyuka Cemetery Park and Gardens.