Duane Rennels

Our cowboy, Duane Rennels, 72, of Livermore, passed away peacefully at his ranch June 9, 2007, surrounded by his wife, Cheryl, family and friends. Conceived in Divide, born in Illinois and raised in Colorado, Duane was born April 22, 1935, to Ruth and Leo Rennels. With a passion for ranching since childhood, Duane spent his 10th through 12th summers as a cow-puncher near Woodland Park. He attended Colorado A&M now CSU studying animal sciences and served in the U.S. Army. Duane also was a fierce competitor in bareback and saddle bronc events around the country. He lived life large and to the fullest. As a life-long rancher, he valued a good horse and served as a dedicated steward of the land he loved. He was a pianist, a vocalist, a pilot and a master storyteller. He pursued with gusto skiing, golfing, fine wine and beef. One of the first and foremost water brokers in Colorado and other western states, Duane brokered deals, representing farmers, corporations and municipalities. A passion-ate Coloradoan, Duane ac-cepted Governor John Love's request to secure business sponsors to make the State Fair profitable. Whether he was selling feed, land, water, cattle, horses, gold or art - everyone was considered a friend. Duane had many claims to fame: He was a Marlboro Man, he was a founding member of the Cowboy Downhill Ski Races in Steamboat Springs, the CSU Rodeo Club and the Citizens for the Preservation of Private Property Rights, to name just a few. He believed in God, the United States of America, family, friends and the strength of a dream. Duane married the love of his life, Cheryl, on June 11, 1985. He is survived by Cheryl; their daughter, Kelly Behm; son-in-law, Joe Behm; grandson, Max Behm; brother, Darrell Rennels and his wife, Kathay Rennels; nieces, Kammy Schuppe and Kiersten Rennels; nephews, Mike Murphree, Dane Rennels and Patrick Thornton; sister-in-law, Debbie Thornton; and father and mother-in-law Frank and Gerda West. An outdoor celebration will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Rennelses' Livermore home. Carpooling is recommended. In lieu of flowers, please send memoriam to the CSU Foundation, Rocky Mountain Ag Showcase, in memory of Duane Rennels; c/o Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521, to provide scholarships for students pursuing agricultural careers.