Duane M. Steputis

Duane M. Steputis, 81, of Palm Desert, CA passed peacefully on September 28, 2011 with his wife and daughter by his side. Duane was born May 8, 1930 in Cairo, Nebraska and was raised in Ft. Collins, CO. Duane served in the Navy from 1948 to 1954. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant and was a Patrol Plane (VP-28) Commander assigned to stations in Barbers Point, HI, Naha, Okinawa, and Kodiak, Alaska. Upon returning to Honolulu, HI he met the love of his life Kay Wood and they were married in 1953. After leaving the Navy, Duane attended the University of Southern California graduating in 1959 with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering. Duane’s career spanned 30+ years where he was a Marketing and Sales executive with General Electric, Collins Radio, Actron, and Mc Donnell Douglas. He raised his family in Costa Mesa, CA and retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1991. Duane and Kay moved to Larimer County Colorado and spent 20 years enjoying retirement at their family ranch. Duane moved to Palm Desert in 2010 due to health reasons. Duane is lovingly remembered as a dedicated family man by his beloved Kay, his wife of 58 years, sons Mark Steputis of Ft. Collins, CO, Kevin Steputis of Roseville, CA, daughter Linda Kail of Manhattan Beach, CA, grandsons Brooks Steputis, John Steputis, Levi Schoenfeld and Luke Steputis, brother Marvin Steputis of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and sisters Leanna Allen of Olympia, WA., and Bev Dazzo of Porterville, CA. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, October 8th at 2:00 pm at Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The Desert Cancer Foundation, 74091 Larrea, Palm Desert, CA 92260.