Charles “Chuck” Dueker, 79
Charles “Chuck” Dueker, 79, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. His funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff with Pastor Rick Reisig officiating. Interment will follow at the Bayard Cemetery in Bayard, NE. It is respectfully requested that in lieu of any flowers, memorials in Chuck’s honor be made in care of the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Online condolences may be made by viewing Chuck’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.
Chuck was born November 3, 1942, in Bayard, NE, at his grandmother Lulu Cadwell’s home. He grew up on the family farm north of Bayard. He was the first of four children born to Glenn and Beth Dueker. Chuck graduated from Bayard High School in 1960. He then attended Milford College, in Milford, NE, where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Diesel Mechanics.
Charles Dueker and Linda Lesoing were joined in matrimony Feb. 23, 1963, at the United Churches of Hot Springs in Hot Springs, SD. They moved to Albuquerque, NM, in 1964 where Chuck started a family and his career at Rust Tractor.
In Chuck’s spare time he enjoyed working on carpentry projects, country western dancing, photography, brewing beer, camping, hiking and sailing. He also enjoyed meeting new people and could strike up a conversation with anyone.
Chuck retired from Rust Tractor Co./Wagner Equipment Co., where he worked for 45 years.
After retirement Chuck and Linda traveled the world visiting Germany and Mongolia, and took cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, and up the east coast of the United States. Chuck enjoyed volunteering for the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, where he helped restore historic train cars and buildings. Chuck also enjoyed spending time with his family.
He is survived by her children, son Bruce Dueker, daughter Linnea Dueker (husband Matthew Kochis) of Albuquerque, NM; brothers John (Jeanne) Dueker of Chadron, NE, and Greg (Marilyn) Dueker of Gering, NE; and sister Connie Redmon of Colorado Springs, CO.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, and brothers-in-law, Dave Redmon and Jack Mowder.