Schoolteacher Conda Edith Hoobler and Bookkeeper Esther M. Hoobler chaining up a 1928 Ford Model A.

Conda Edith Hoobler was a schoolteacher, the daughter of Frank Wilder and Lona Hoobler of Taylor, Nebraska.

Her husband was Abe A. Duryea; born May 22, 1905 in Arcadia, Valley County, Nebraska and the son of A.C. and Mary (Spangberg) Duryea. The mother died at quite an early age but the father, Abe Sr., lived to the ripe old age of 103 years. Abe Jr. was a victim of polio at age four. It affected him throughout his life but at his present age (in January 1987) of 81 years, he has never considered it as a real handicap.

After he had taught school for five years, on Christmas day, 1929, he was married to the girl of his choice, Conda Hoobler. She was a schoolteacher, the daughter of Frank and Lona Hoobler of Taylor, Nebraska. Abe was then a teacher and part-time barber. The price of a haircut was 35 cents and a shave at 20 cents, both for 50 cents. This supplement along with their school teaching of $75 per month each made it possible to live and pay most of the bills. However Conda’s income was to cease when a little daughter, Leta Rae, was born to the happy couple on Jan. 19, 1931. A second daughter, Bonnie Rea, came to them on Nov. 3, 1932. At this time Abe was a teacher and elementary athletic coach in the Taylor public schools. Times and salaries were declining, and in the fall of 1933 the Duryea family moved west to Bingham, Nebraska where Abe was to be a junior high teacher, high school basketball coach and part time barber. Haircuts were now 50 cents and the family felt that they had made a good move to this little Sheridan County village.

Their son, Bob, was born in Bingham July 28, 1934. The salary now was $85 per month and with the availability of fish from the nearby lakes, an occasional sale of a muskrat hide, and always plenty of cow chips to stock the big wood stove for heat, and with lots of good permanent friends they found themselves "right up among" the others in survival and happiness. The fall of 1937 was the height of the "dust bowl era" with ranchers putting up Russian thistles for feed due to the scarcity of hay. It was at this time that the Duryea family moved to Chadron where Abe entered the State College for some much needed training and college credit. Needless to say it took a lot of hard work, planning, and determination to stay with the project. Barbering, janitor work, and what was called "The College Laundry" manned by Abe and Conda paid the bills. Three women were employed at $1 per day, a college boy worked for his board and room, and a high school girl did likewise. The college boys all wore white shirts to school, which were laundered by the Duryeas for 10 cents each.

Abe went for six weeks each summer as an assistant to the director of the "Chadron State College Study Tours" during which time he was exposed to 44 of our states, and portions of Canada and Mexico. In May 1941 came the big story. Abe graduated with 6 years to his credit and wife Conda had completed her 2 years. In September of 1941 the family moved to Richmond, Va. where Abe headed the high school Industrial Arts Department in the Glen Allen Schools, and Conda became the principal of a seven-teacher elementary school. The second World War came upon them with its many complications in December. This caused the family to become homesick for friends in Nebraska.

The Duryeas returned to Bingham in 1943 where Abe became superintendent of the 12 grade accredited high school, and wife Conda became principal. After 22 years of teaching, their last move was to Alliance in 1946. The next 30 years were devoted to the Real Estate and Insurance business. Upon retirement, at age 71, Abe operated "Abe's Sharp-all Shop" for 15 years with his helpmate, Conda.

Abe A. Duryea, 86, died Saturday, December 14, 1991, at Box Butte General Hospital. He was a member of United Methodist Church and a member of Kiwanis Club since 1952, with 30 years of perfect attendance.

He is survived by his wife, Conda, Alliance; son, Bob, of Alliance; daughter, Bonnie Jones of Antrim, NH; daughter, Leta Whiteman of Overland Park, KS; sister, Burneice Lindsay of Glendale, CA; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 17, at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home in Alliance with the Rev. Richard Carter officiating. Burial was in Alliance Cemetery.

By Bonnie - After Abe's death in l991, Conda remained in their cozy home at 812 Big Horn Avenue in Alliance. Her son & wife, Bob & Joanie, and their 3 married daughters live nearby, and are a constant source of comfort and joy to her. She took trips to visit her 2 daughters & their families (Leta in KC, MO and Bonnie in New England). Since l995, the family has had yearly reunions in the Alliance, Black Hills or Chadron area. Although her eyesight is very poor due to Glaucoma, she continues to walk daily by using a white cane. Her hobbies include crocheting Afghans, listening to talking books, and following the High School sports of her great grandchildren on the radio. She is a remarkable lady of 93 and a treasure to her family.

Conda Edith obituary

An amazing, dearly beloved lady, Conda Edith (Hoobler) Duryea has passed from this life at the age of 98 on September 30, 2006 at Good Samaritan Health Care Center. She was born June 24, 1908 in Moulton, Loup County, Nebraska to Frank and Lona (Vinnedge) Hoobler. For three years, after high school, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Taylor, Nebraska. She married Abe A. Duryea on Christmas Day, 1929 in Taylor, Nebraska. She was a devoted, loving Mother to two daughters and one son. After attending Chadron State Teacher’s College, she taught school for twelve years.

The family moved to Alliance in 1946, and was in the Real Estate and Insurance business for 31 years, and later operated Abe’s Sharp-All Shop for 13 years, retiring in 1990. After Abe’s death in 1991, Conda remained in the family home until 2003 when she moved into Sandhills Samaritan Assisted Living. In her later years her eyesight failed, but her dear smile, warm, loving personality, and constant love for her large devoted family never faltered.

Preceding her in death were her parents, three brothers, and her husband. She is survived by her son and his wife, Bob and Joanie Duryea of Alliance, daughters Bonnie and husband Dale Jones of Sierra Vista, AZ, and Leta Whiteman of Everest, KS, her sister Phyllis Billiard of Kalispell, MT, 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews and a host of dear friends also survive her.

At her request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be Friday, October 6 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church with Reverend Doug Griger and Norma Jensen officiating. A private family burial will take place in the Alliance Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be given to the United Methodist Church, 704 Box Butte or to Prairie Haven Hospice, 2409 Box Butte Avenue, Alliance.

Esther Hoobler

Taken on: January 1, 1929

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