STUFFY WAS A VERY GOOD FRIEND. I REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD IN THE MOUNTAINS AND WILL MISS HIM YOUR FRIEND RICHARD RINEHART

I'm sure all of us kids have similar stories.  But being from such a large family, we also have different perspectives on growing up with Dad.  I wanted to share mine because I think it was unique to being the youngest son at a critical time in his life.  

A dynamic shift occurred in my father when one day the love of his youth was suddenly gone.  For the first time in my life, I saw a strong, hard working, confident father reduced to unimaginable sorrow and brokenness.  I was shocked and dumbfounded at the level of his grief.  He mourned greatly for several weeks and into the months that passed.  It was through this mourning process that I became aware of for the first time how his life had been in the years before we came along.  At the age of 13, I had only known a few stories of what he had gone through in the depression.  But he began to open up to me more and more and share a part of himself I had never known.  One day he unexpectedly brought out his army photo book with pictures of his platoon of fellow soldiers.  He sat next to me and began to tell me their names.   They weren't their real names of course, they were the nicknames they gave each other.  By the time he had told me of 3 or 4 of them, his grief had overcome him once again, and he was reduced to tears.  He told me all these men had been his best friends, and they became like brothers to each other.  He had seen each one of them die.  It was obvious he had held much of his pain from that time inside.   He reminded me that “War was hell” and a “Necessary evil, not to be glorified”, he would say.   I had heard that Uncle Donny has encouraged Dad to receive his purple heart, but Dad would have nothing to do with it.   We learned not to bring up the war as the years passed, because of the nightmares he had to the end of his days, but along with them were also many stories he would tell us about living through the depression.  How he would walk to school in the snow for several miles with holes in their shoes and hoping to find a fresh cow pie to warm his feet, or not being able to afford many things, even new pencils. He and Willard eating their potted meat behind the school house while the others kids ate a hot lunch.  The stories went on and on.  For the first time I realized the great suffering and hardship that he had endured.  Later in life I realized that the mourning process he was going through was not just mourning his painful losses in his family, he was also mourning the perhaps for the first time the anguish and suffering he endured during his childhood and during the war.  My father exposed his heart during this time and was as though he was undone.  I also noticed at this time his strength and courage along with his love and endurance he had to developed.  The pain he had endured had developed in him, great character. He had exposed to me what the world might consider weakness as he wrestled with his grief, but I witnessed great strength that I will never forget.  My respect for my father increased greatly and our love and admiration increased also.  I began to understand the greatness of my father and it motivated me to want to make him proud.  Later in my life I heard his generation referred to as the “greatest generation”.  I am proud to say that my father was a card carrying member of that group.  

Dad had an ability to make good friends wherever he lived and at whatever chapter of his life.  I was so glad when Ione entered his life.  She brought with her a gentleness and nurturing that truly was a blessing to Dad.  Through her he experienced much healing from his past. The pain of all the tragedy in his life up until then.  Of losing his beloved Mary, of losing his son, Stanley, and all the buried trauma from his earlier years.  Her devotion and dedication to him was remarkable.   For the next 33 years they walked together, and made the best out of their latter years.  She stayed by his side until the end. Just as she had promised.   God knew what he was doing when he brought them together.   She was there to laugh at his jokes and stories, make sure he ate well and took his vitamins, to watch the Rockies or the Broncos together, and be his help mate in everything. We love and appreciate you Ione, for all you did for Dad.  We know you miss him terribly…To my Dad: I wanted to say how proud we are of you and how you fought to the very end,  well done!

a great brother i loved our visit on the phone that tuesday sister could tell you were getting weaker love you brother

The few times we got together with Stuffy years ago I truly enjoyed him.  His children and grandchildren are his legacy.  We miss his presence now and rejoice in knowing we'll all be together again one day.

Wilburt will be missed at Shepherd of the Hills here in Canon City. Always kind, faith-filled and persevering in the midst of health struggles.

You will have such a fantastic reunion with those you have missed for years.  Your gentle, kind soul will be missed on earth, but will be amongst the best of angels.  All of your family is in my prayers.

Theresa Konstanzer Leasure, Colorado Springs

To have known you was to love you! You will be missed but we all will carry your memory in our hearts! Be at peace with our loving heavenly Father!

Wilburt, you were like a second father to me.  I know how close was your friendship with my dad.  I will miss our evening chats this summer at the end of my work day.  It won't be the same around here without you.  But I promise Ione and I will still sit in the evening and enjoy as best we can all the while wishing you were with us.  Go rest high Wilburt and say hello to my dad for me.

One of greatest of the Greatest Generation has passed from this earth.  He was a man that worked hard and loved his family and friends.  He will be greatly missed by many.  Our prayers are with each member of the family.

Our hearts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.May God bless you all and give you strength.

You were like my father. I will miss you but know you are at peace in your heavenly home with all who have gone before you!

OBITUARY

Wilburt D Duft

July 18, 1919 – April 11, 2013

Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Chapel Hill

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