Announcing a celebration of life for Van and Georgia;
Friday, September 11th
(which would have been their 70th anniversary!).
The celebration of life will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2110 Sheridan Blvd. at 2:00 p.m. Following the CDC COVID-19 guidelines, we will comply with social distancing, and mandatory masks. All attendees are asked to leave their name and contact information on a slip of paper, to facilitate contract tracing if it becomes necessary.
Memorials may be given to Westminster Presbyterian Church, or Salvation Army.
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Van C. Duling, 93, of Lincoln, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 15, 2020. He was born on January 4, 1927 in Bassett, NE to the late Gilbert and Mabel (Forke) Duling. Van attended Lincoln Public Schools, and graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1950 with a degree in business. He was also a proud navy veteran, having served in WWII.
Van was married to his loving wife, Georgia (Lemon) who preceded him in death by exactly 11 weeks. They were married September 11, 1950 at first Methodist Church in University Place. This year was to be their 70th anniversary.
Van began his career in travel during summers in University as a tour director for Berry Tours, traveling nation wide with groups. Employment with Lincoln Tour and Travel followed, opening a branch office in Mason City, Iowa. In 1960 he subsequently returned to Lincoln to open a new office in the brand new Gateway Shopping Center. In 1970 Van and Georgia founded their own company, Van C. Duling Travel, specializing in Incentive Travel and Fun Tours motor coach vacations.
Their travels took them all over the world and Van and Georgia felt blessed to enjoy such a successful career in travel together.
Van was an author. He and a couple of his dear friends published a series of three books related to Lincoln: “The Good Old Days”, “Those were the Days”, and “The Lincoln Scrapbook”. He also wrote his autobiography, “The Door Swings In … The Door Swings Out”, reflecting on his extensive career in the travel industry which was made possible with the support of Georgia.
Van’s lifelong hobby was performing as a jazz drummer and vocalist. He played in a band on KFAB radio while he was in college, and went on to perform in the Shrine Dixieland Band and several local big bands. The drum set was a frequent companion as Van and Georgia attended functions where he would perform, and “Georgia on my Mind” was always one of his crowd pleasers.
Golf was Van’s favorite sports hobby and over the years he enjoyed the many friendships formed as a member of The Country Club of Lincoln, Hillcrest, The Knolls and Firethorn.
Organizations included Westminster Church in numerous capacities, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Masons, Rotary, Kiwanis, Sesostris Shrine, Bob Martens Coffee Group, Elks, Chamber of Commerce, and Teammates as a mentor.
Van is survived by his daughters Lynn (Brent) Kalemkiarian, Janice (George) Boosalis, grandson Justin (Taylor) Kalemkiarian, granddaughters Beth (Erik) Fern, Kaylin Boosalis of Sherman Oaks, CA, brother Dick (Sally) Duling of Bloomington, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents Gilbert and Mabel Duling, brother Jerry Duling and nephew Kevin Duling.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 11 at 2 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Salvation Army of Lincoln.
Roper and Sons is committed to the safety of our community. We wear our masks to protect you and your family. We ask that you wear your mask to protect us and our families.