Charlene Joyce Duncan was born on the family farm south of Speed, Kansas on October 9, 1934. She passed peacefully from this life at her home north of Speed on December 10, 2018 at the age of 84. Charlene lived most of her life in the Speed community, living a short time in Rooks County, Kansas and Phillipsburg, Kansas.

Charlene grew up on the family farm south of Speed where she attended Speed Grade School and later attended Phillipsburg High School. She left high school to help on the farm after her father lost his eyesight. She later earned her GED to complete her high school education.

She married William W. Duncan on November 21, 1952 in Downs, Kansas. They made their home in Rooks County for a short time before moving back to Speed to farm. Bill and Charlene had two sons, Dennis and Charles. The couple moved to Phillipsburg for a few years to try city living and later moved back to the farm north of Speed where she lived until her death.

Charlene was a multi-talented woman - working on the farm, at nursing homes, retail shops, the newspaper, sale barn cafe and many years as a bus driver, all while raising her two sons. Her many hobbies included bowling, knitting, crocheting, sewing and embroidery. Charlene was very proud of all the awards and ribbons she'd won at the local fairs and state fair for her crochet work, and she passed these talents on to her daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a great love for all her family and took great pride in their accomplishments, but she developed a special bond with great-granddaughter, Addie.

Bill and Charlene loved camping and spent many years at the state fair in their motor home. As Bill's health declined, Charlene faithfully provided the loving care and assistance he needed before his death on September 21, 2010.

In addition to her husband, Bill, she was preceded in death by her parents, Charley and Viola Bretton; an infant brother; one sister, Hazel; one son, Dennis; and Virgil Adkins, who was raised by her parents and whom she considered to be her older brother.

She leaves to mourn one son, Charles, and wife, Wanda of Speed; daughter-in-law, Idona Duncan of Stockton, KS; four grandsons: Duane and Sarah, Big Springs, NE; David and Becca, Tonganoxie, KS; Charlie and Lacy, Prairie View, KS; and Jake and Morgan, Lawrence, KS; one granddaughter, Samantha and Stephen Russell, Downs, KS; and 13 great-grandchildren: Devin, Elaina, Cassie, Billy, Addie, Luca, Jack, Monroe, Norah, Raelyn, Josie, Alena, and Ransom.

Charlene will be deeply missed by her family, her coffee group and all of her bus-driving friends

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10:00 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lew VanDerWege officiating. Burial will follow in the Belmont Cemetery, Speed.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Thursday and 9:00 to 9:00 Friday at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Speed Community Center