Duane was born in Des Moines and had lived
in Ankeny for 16 years. He was a U.S. Army
veteran of World War II and graduated from
North High School. He had attended Drake
University. He died of a sudden heart attack.
********************************
Survivors include a son, Daniel of Ankeny;
two daughters, Barbara Reed of Ankeny and
Kathryn Cornwell of Des Moines and four
grandchildren. His wife,Lois,died in 1986.
*********************************
Broadcaster 1923-1987
Duane delighted children for three decades.
He entertained them with his puppet friend
Floppy, a high-voiced beagle dog that enjoyed
riddles and let kids beep his nose for for luck.
He went on the air in 1957. Ellett carved the
puppet's head from balsa wood and his wife,
Lois made the terry cloth body. Ellett taught
himself ventriloquism. He also entertained
at the Iowa State Fair. Ellett and Floppy visted
countless sick children in hospitals. On
Aug. 30, 1984,WHO-TV canceled his afternoon
show because of faltering ratings and there
was a public outcry. He continued on week-end
mornings. In May 1987, they celebrated their
30th anniversary of entertaining together.
************************************
Portions of this biography is copied from an
article written by Tom Longden, published in
the Des Moines Register+Sept.4,2010
in Ankeny for 16 years. He was a U.S. Army
veteran of World War II and graduated from
North High School. He had attended Drake
University. He died of a sudden heart attack.
********************************
Survivors include a son, Daniel of Ankeny;
two daughters, Barbara Reed of Ankeny and
Kathryn Cornwell of Des Moines and four
grandchildren. His wife,Lois,died in 1986.
*********************************
Broadcaster 1923-1987
Duane delighted children for three decades.
He entertained them with his puppet friend
Floppy, a high-voiced beagle dog that enjoyed
riddles and let kids beep his nose for for luck.
He went on the air in 1957. Ellett carved the
puppet's head from balsa wood and his wife,
Lois made the terry cloth body. Ellett taught
himself ventriloquism. He also entertained
at the Iowa State Fair. Ellett and Floppy visted
countless sick children in hospitals. On
Aug. 30, 1984,WHO-TV canceled his afternoon
show because of faltering ratings and there
was a public outcry. He continued on week-end
mornings. In May 1987, they celebrated their
30th anniversary of entertaining together.
************************************
Portions of this biography is copied from an
article written by Tom Longden, published in
the Des Moines Register+Sept.4,2010
Duane was born in Des Moines and had lived
in Ankeny for 16 years. He was a U.S. Army
veteran of World War II and graduated from
North High School. He had attended Drake
University. He died of a sudden heart attack.
********************************
Survivors include a son, Daniel of Ankeny;
two daughters, Barbara Reed of Ankeny and
Kathryn Cornwell of Des Moines and four
grandchildren. His wife,Lois,died in 1986.
*********************************
Broadcaster 1923-1987
Duane delighted children for three decades.
He entertained them with his puppet friend
Floppy, a high-voiced beagle dog that enjoyed
riddles and let kids beep his nose for for luck.
He went on the air in 1957. Ellett carved the
puppet's head from balsa wood and his wife,
Lois made the terry cloth body. Ellett taught
himself ventriloquism. He also entertained
at the Iowa State Fair. Ellett and Floppy visted
countless sick children in hospitals. On
Aug. 30, 1984,WHO-TV canceled his afternoon
show because of faltering ratings and there
was a public outcry. He continued on week-end
mornings. In May 1987, they celebrated their
30th anniversary of entertaining together.
************************************
Portions of this biography is copied from an
article written by Tom Longden, published in
the Des Moines Register+Sept.4,2010
in Ankeny for 16 years. He was a U.S. Army
veteran of World War II and graduated from
North High School. He had attended Drake
University. He died of a sudden heart attack.
********************************
Survivors include a son, Daniel of Ankeny;
two daughters, Barbara Reed of Ankeny and
Kathryn Cornwell of Des Moines and four
grandchildren. His wife,Lois,died in 1986.
*********************************
Broadcaster 1923-1987
Duane delighted children for three decades.
He entertained them with his puppet friend
Floppy, a high-voiced beagle dog that enjoyed
riddles and let kids beep his nose for for luck.
He went on the air in 1957. Ellett carved the
puppet's head from balsa wood and his wife,
Lois made the terry cloth body. Ellett taught
himself ventriloquism. He also entertained
at the Iowa State Fair. Ellett and Floppy visted
countless sick children in hospitals. On
Aug. 30, 1984,WHO-TV canceled his afternoon
show because of faltering ratings and there
was a public outcry. He continued on week-end
mornings. In May 1987, they celebrated their
30th anniversary of entertaining together.
************************************
Portions of this biography is copied from an
article written by Tom Longden, published in
the Des Moines Register+Sept.4,2010
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