Gilbert L Duenes

On Monday January 15, 2024 Gilberto “Gib” L. Duenes was welcomed home to a heavenly reunion with his beloved wife Karen, his daughter Elena D. Madison, his son Shane G. Duenes, his father Felix Duenes, his mother Maria Elena Luna Duenes, his sisters Connie Cabrera and Rosie Guana, brothers Leonard Duenes and Bart Duenes.

Gilbert was born in Atwood Colorado, February 22, 1941.

He was welcomed by two adoring sisters and three rambunctious brothers. His early years were spent in Atwood, Colorado and North Platte, Nebraska. Gilbert was taught at a young age to work hard. At the tender age of five years old, he was pulling a little red “water wagon” in the beet fields. When he would get tired he would lay down under the wagon and take a nap. This wagon supplied water to his family and other farm workers. He fondly spoke of fishing and hunting along the South Platte River with his brothers Joe, Leonard, Bart and Cousin, David Luna.

In the fall of 1954 Gilbert’s family moved from Atwood Colorado to Lewisville Idaho. Gilbert at the age of 13, working alongside his father and brothers, worked for Ball Brothers Produce. Gilbert attended school in Atwood Colorado and completed his education in Idaho.

In April of 1960, Gilbert married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Karen Kae Schneider. They made their first home in Menan, Idaho and later settled in Lewisville, Idaho. To this union were born three children: Elena, Amy and Shane.

Gilbert was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a great sense of family and worked hard all of his life to provide for them. He taught his children to be proud of their heritage and to honor their parents. He taught them the value of an honest day’s work, he taught how to love and be devoted to family. He taught by example how to love, serve and honor your spouse. He was a true and loyal friend with a big heart. He was generous in sharing his talents and knowledge of cement work. He taught and instructed many how to drive a Semi and helped them obtain their CDL’s with a driving course he had set up on his property.

Gilbert had a love for anything with an engine and four wheels. He loved classic cars and was a walking dictionary and encyclopedia for all things cars, trucks, and Semi Big Rigs.

His hobbies included camping, riding snowmachines, racing said snowmachines, antiquing, classic cars and trucks, Semi-trucks and trailers and work, work and more work.

From 1960 to 1969, Gilbert continued to work for Ball Brothers and several other farmers in the Lewisville area. During the winter months when work on the farms was slow, he would work at Canner Seed located in Lewisville. In 1970, Gilbert started working for Reinhart Construction, working in concrete. He was very proficient in running a bull float, hand trowel, power trowel and any other concrete tool that he was handed. He received his Cement Mason Apprenticeship in September of 1972. In 1973, he ventured out on his own and started Gib’s Concrete which he owned and operated until 1998. He then started GKS Transport Inc. with his son, Shane. Shane ran the rock/gravel hauling side of the business and Gilbert ran the agriculture side. He contracted and hauled potatoes for Idaho Fresh Pak, Larson Farms, Martin Farms, Ball Brothers produce and Clement Brothers. When he wasn’t hauling potatoes, he was hauling grain and hay. Gilbert reluctantly retired in 2016.

In January of 2020, due to declining health, Gilbert relocated to West Richland, Washington to live next door to his daughter Amy and son- in- law Lynn. Here, he was able to truly relax and enjoyed the mild winters and hot summers of southeastern Washington.

He took great pleasure in off- roading on the trails of McBee Hill in the Forerunner with his son-in-law Lynn. He got to experience boating on the beautiful waterways of the majestic Columbia River. He looked forward every year to the Tri-Cities Water Follies and got to feel the rumble in his chest as he watched the big Unlimited Hydroplane’s with their massive rooster tails literally flying inches above the water as they raced the course on the mighty Columbia River. He attended holidays, family parties of all kinds; he was doted on, celebrated and loved beyond measure.

Our hearts are broken to lose our brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend; but a wise man once said “We can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life”. –Russell M. Nelson. We look forward to that Joyful reunion!

Gilbert is survived by his daughter Amy (Lynn) Howe of West Richland, Washington. His brother Joe Ochoa of Greeley CO.; sister Gracie Casorla of San Jose, CA ;and brother Harry Duenes of San Jose, CA. Nine grandchildren: Brooke (Chad) Coles of Rigby ID, Amber (Dennis) Holst of Ucon ID, Skyler (Aubree) Ashbocker of Lewisville ID, and Axel (Amber) Ashbocker of Rigby ID, Jenni (Tyler) Devoir of Richland WA, McKenzie (Nick) Robinson of Rexburg, ID., Page Howe of West Richland, WA., Tristan(Danielle) Duenes of Rigby, ID and Paige Duenes of Idaho Falls, ID., and twenty three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday January 27, 2024 at Eckersells Memorial Chapel (101 West Main Street Rigby, ID 83442) with Bishop Terry Ellsworth officiating. The family will meet with friends on Friday evening January 26th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Eckersell Funeral Home and prior to the services at 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. at Eckersell Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow the services at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.