Duane C. Sobotka, 92, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, February 10, 2017. Duane was born March 8, 1924 in Seward, Nebraska to Vladislav and Helen Sobotka. At the age of six he met his future wife, Dorothy (Greiner) while playing under mothers' quilting table.

He graduated from Lincoln High school in 1942 and enlisted in the United States Army. He was an artillery gunner to the famed Second Division of the Ninth Army (Hell on Wheels) during WWII. He fought battles in northern Africa, Sicily, stormed the beaches of Normandy, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and the final assault on Berlin. He retired in 1964 as a Master Sergeant after finishing service with the Army Reserves. In September of 2013 he had the pleasure of being part of The Veterans’ Honor Flight to Washington D.C., escorted by his daughter, Judy.

On September 14, 1947 he married the love of his life Dorothy Greiner, in Seward, Nebraska. After a brief stint in Baltimore, MD they moved to Milwaukee, WI where he attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering. In 1950 they welcomed their first child, daughter Joette, and in 1951 another daughter Judy. In 1952 they moved to Richland, WA.  Their son Jeff was born in 1955, followed by Jon in 1957 and Jill in 1959.

Duane worked for G.E. as an Instrument Tech at Hanford N area. He retired in 1986. He and his wife Dorothy loved to travel spent 3 months touring Europe and Africa; and many winters in Florence, AZ.

Duane loved to hunt, fish and take his family boating along the Columbia River. He was a handyman and could make anything out of duct tape. Duane had an amazing sense of humor; he was the king of witty jokes. He was a lifelong member of the VFW and NRA, who proudly taught gun safety classes. He loved polka music and watched Molly B's Polka Party every Saturday night. His love for God and his family was shown daily not only in words but through action. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Janet and Carolyn; brothers, Stanley and Richard; great-granddaughter Ameliah; and his daughter, Jill Hillmer. Duane is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Dorothy; children Joette Sheeley, Judy Drinkwalter (Robert), Jeff Sobotka (Ramona), Dr Jon Sobotka

 (Roberta) and son-in- law Rich Hillmer; grandchildren John, Lisa, Lori, Jennifer, Matt, Clare, Nina, Elise and Alec and 12 great-grandchildren; his sister, Marie Braun of Lincoln, NE and  numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, February 18, at 1:00pm at Sunset Gardens, 915 ByPass Hwy in Richland. A Memorial Service will follow at 2:30pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 520 Thayer in Richland; where Duane was member for over 60 years.

We would like to thank Colleen Lobato, the Visiting Angels, and the staff in the CD Unit at Kadlec Medical Center. In Lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the Richland VFW or The Lutheran Hour.