Obituary of Duane B. Reaney

Duane B. Reaney, MD, age 90, of Yankton, SD, passed away Sunday, December 22, 2013 at the Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, with his family by his side. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, December 27, 2013 at the United Church of Christ (Congregational), Yankton, with Rev. Dr. Paul M. Opsahl officiating. Burial of his cremated remains will be in the Yankton Cemetery with the SDARNG Honor Guard offering a flag presentation. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, is assisting with service details. Eulogists are Mal Jameson, Bob Winter and Jay Hubner and Honorary Urn Bearers are Ceci Kussman Bode, Cal Carlson, Don Edwards, Marge Gross, Coleen Hohn, Sandy Ryken, Roger Smith, John Sternquist, and Harvey Youngberg. Duane (Du) was born on June 5th, 1923 in Avon, SD to Harold and Hulda (Vauk) Reaney. Du was dearly loved by his family and friends. He in turn loved his golfing, fishing and hunting buddies, his many friends, and most of all his wife of 67 years, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A graduate of Avon High School in 1941, Du excelled in football, basketball, baseball, theater, debate and music, winning a national high school singing contest with his beautiful baritone voice. Du graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1945. He played basketball his freshman year and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. There he met his wife Kay and they were married in 1946. He attended medical school at Northwestern University, graduating in 1948, and then returned to South Dakota to start his medical practice in Yankton with Drs. Arthur Smith and John Hill. He joined the Navy for two years as a medical officer during the Korean War. Du was a founder of the present Yankton Medical Clinic where he practiced for 43 years. Du had deep respect for his colleagues and provided compassionate care for his patients. During his career as a family practitioner, he delivered around 5,000 babies including three generations and triplets. Du was a lifelong supporter of the University of South Dakota, serving as President of the Alumni Association, Dakota Day Parade Marshall, team physician, and was honored by USD with the Alumni Achievement Award. He was a devoted Coyote fan, and in fact, Du's last outing was a Coyote football game. He was also team physician and supporter of Yankton College. Yankton High School was also very special to Du. He was team physician for many years, always a familiar figure walking the sidelines or sitting in the bleachers, cheering on the Bucks. He was an early advocate of women's sports at YHS and a devoted Gazelle fan. Du also established the practice of full physicals for all YHS athletes. He was named to the YHS Athletic Hall of Fame and along with his family to the YHS Fine Arts Hall of Fame. During his professional career he served as the President of the Sacred Heart Medical Board and President of the South Dakota Medical Association. He also served on the Mount Marty College Trustees Board. An avid golfer, Du was a founding member of Hillcrest Country Club and served as President of the Board. He continued to golf throughout his retirement, spending winters in Arizona for 20 years. He was also a life-long St. Louis Cardinal fan and grew beautiful roses. Du is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Ball) Reaney of Yankton; and daughters, Joan (Reaney) Loecker and Janet (Reaney) Merriman, both of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his son, Judson Reaney. He is also survived by daughter-in-law Susan (Gillis); son-in-law Bruce Merriman; grandchildren Anne (Loecker) Dobler, Adam Loecker, Kat Reaney and Dani Merriman; six great grandchildren Daniel and Eric Vigil, Max Dobler, Abrieana, Livia and Maicie Loecker. He was also preceded in death by his two brothers, Barney and Len Reaney. To honor and remember Du, please send memorials to Yankton Area Community Foundation at yankton.sdcommunityfoundation.org or Contact Center, 321 W. 3rd St,, Yankton, SD 57078.