Life story
August 28, 1939
A giant from the start, Duane was born at home into a loving Lutheran farming family in Jetmore Kansas on August 28, 1939 at a whopping 13 pounds. Duane had four older sisters and was shortly joined by a younger brother. Fred and Lydia Ehrlich taught Duane the value of hard work, which he carried with him his whole life. He drove a farming truck at the age of 8.
October 1, 1939
He was baptized in St. Michael's Lutheran Church, where he was later Confirmed as a teenager in 1952.
May 23, 1957
In 1957 he graduated from Jetmore High School. He attended Dodge City & Garden City Junior Colleges.
February 20, 1960
He rescued Karen Raye Richardson on Avenue F, after her car went into a snow drift. She gladly accepted the assistance of the handsome young man driving a souped up '55 red and white Chevy.
January 28, 1961
Duane and Karen were married in the First Christian Church in Dodge City. For their honeymoon they went to Galveston, Texas.
June 9, 1962
Duane and Karen welcomed their first child into the world, Douglas Duane Ehrlich.
June 14, 1964
The day they added a cute dark haired baby to the Ehrlich Family: Mark Allen Ehrlich.
October 3, 1966
The family was complete with the addition of Rodney Dean Ehrlich.
October 1, 1968
The family moved to Wichita, Kansas, when Duane accepted a position with Continental Insurance Adjusting Company. Over the next twenty-five years he worked for various insurance companies including State Farm and Gay & Taylor. He also built numerous homes in the Wichita area, including all the personal homes for the Ehrlich Family.
September 12, 1971
At Karen's urging, Duane finally gave in and they signed up for square dance lessons with the Silver Spurs of Wichita. Shortly thereafter Duane took up a wonderful phase of his life as a square dance caller. He travelled all over the state calling square dances, and taught many people how to dance. Duane and Karen started the Sunburst Squares dance club, which is still in existence today. From this phase of their lives came the blessing of countless wonderful friendships that are still going strong today.
January 7, 1973
The Ehrlich Family joined Ascension Lutheran Church, in Wichita, where Duane was a member of the choir. He also served as an usher and on the building committee.
July 10, 1982
Duane & Karen and their great friends Mike and Chris Buser, started American Made Promotions. Over the next twenty years, they promoted over 150 arts and crafts shows in Wichita, Kansas City and Tulsa. They retired from this business in 2005.
July 28, 1990
The Ehrlich Family welcome Ann Percifield into the family when she and Mark were married in Wichita.
November 20, 1992
Mark & Ann welcomed Duane and Karen's first grandchild into the world, Krystal Denean Ehrlich
August 8, 1996
Taylor Rae Ehrlich was born into the world on this day, and was the second grandchild for Duane and Karen.
March 8, 1997
Julie Hossfeld told Duane, "I'm gonna be an Ehrlich!" Rod and Julie were married in Seattle.
December 16, 1999
Jacob Duane Ehrlich, the first grandson of Duane and Karen, was presented to the family by Rod and Julie.
July 12, 2002
Madison Lynne Ehrlich was born to Rod & Julie as Duane and Karen's fourth grandchild. She remains the baby of the family.
June 3, 2005
Duane and Karen were delighted in the marriage of Doug and Lori Selenke and welcomed three new boys into the Ehrlich Family, Travis, Kyle and Brandon.
December 2, 2006
Passed away on December 2, 2006 at the age of 67.
