Elaine F. Duryea, 81, of Baileyville, KS, died Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.  She had been residing in Life Care Center of Seneca since February 2022.

Elaine was born January 22, 1942 to Lawrence and Rachel (Rettele) Deters in Axtell, the 7^th of 14 children. She was raised on the family farm north of Baileyville, attended Baileyville School and worked on the farm. After school, she helped new mothers with their new-born babies.

On August 28, 1961 she married Norman Francis Lackey at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They lived on a farm in the St. Benedict area. They had six children: Kenneth, Janice, Steven, Ronald, Gary, and Alan.  Kenneth died in childhood and Janice in infancy.  Norman preceded her in death on June 25, 1971.

On November 16, 1974, she married Robert Eugene “Bob” Duryea at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. They lived in Baileyville where they built and operated Duryea Shopping Center from December 1975 through May 1987.  They raised six children: Steven, Ronald, Gary, Michelle, Alan and Regina. She was very devoted to her Catholic faith and was active with teaching Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes for many years with Sacred Heart Catholic Church and held various leadership roles within the Altar Society. Ronald preceded her in death on May 17, 1987 and Robert preceded her in death on May 17, 1988.

Elaine continued to own and operate Duryea Shopping Center until she sold it in September 1988.  She continued to work in the area at Chicago Rawhide Industries (CR) of Seneca, B&B USD 451 of Baileyville, operated a daycare out of her home, made candles for Wanda’s Candles of Axtell, and upholstered and refinished furniture.  She retired in 2017.  Elaine had many hobbies and interests during her life such as garage sale shopping, quilting, upholstering, woodworking, gardening, reading, and watching westerns.

Survivors are three sons and two daughters, Steven (Dawn) of Circleville, Gary (Ashley) of Marietta, GA, Michelle of Topeka, Alan (Eva) of Elsmore, and Regina of Overland Park,  eight siblings, Gilbert (Shirley) Deters of Centralia, Virgil (Marilee) Deters of Baileyville, Paul (Carol) Deters of Topeka, Rosann Huninghake of Seneca, Donald (Mary Jane) Deters of Axtell, Larry (Mary Ellen) Deters of Topeka, Mark (Dottie) Deters of Baileyville and Marceil (John) Bergman of Seneca; nineteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Elmer Deters; four sisters, Audrey Feldkamp, Mary Ruhkamp, Karlene Ronnebaum, and Reva Deters, an infant; two husbands, Norman Lackey and Robert Duryea; and three children, Kenneth Lackey, Janice Lackey and Ronald Duryea.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Monday, February 20, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30AM, February 21, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be given for the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery Fund. To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .