Kenneth W. Landis

Kenneth (Kenny) Wayne Landis, 92, of Linn, Kansas died at the Clay County Medical Center on May 13, 2015. Visitation was from noon until 8 p.m. Friday, May 15, at the Ward Funeral Home in Linn. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services were held 10 A.M. on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Linn, Kansas, with Vernon Mai officiating. Pallbearers were Marsha Landis, Lars Larson, Lee Larson, Johnny Keener, Tanner Gross, Nigel Hanson, Darius Landis and Orville Loeffler. Honorary pallbearers were Amy Landis, Michael Landis, Melanie Landis, Jill Hagadorn, Erica Keener, Angela Gross, Nicole Larson, Ariel Larson, Tiffany Hoover, David Hoover and Ray Howard. Burial with full Military Honors was in the Washington City Cemetery, Washington, Kansas. Kenny was born February 17, 1923 in Chester, Nebraska, the son of John and Marie (Stroh) Landis. He grew up south of Fairbury and attended grade school and high school in Fairbury. Kenny served three years in the United States Army during WWII in the European Theater. He was in the 20th Armored Division, 20th Tank Battalion of Company D. He served on the front line of combat for 165 days as a Tank Commander. He served in France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Austria, receiving the Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medals. On October 19, 1945, he married Lucille Woodward at Washington, Kansas. This union was blessed with four children, Lonny, Steven, Rick and Vickie. Kenny and Lucille would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in October. Kenny was baptized on February 27, 1955 and became a member of the Linn United Methodist Church and was serving as an Elder when the Church closed. Kenny and Lucille attended Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Linn thereafter. Kenny worked several years at the Brickyard in Endicott, Nebraska, 11 years as a section hand for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad, 12 years as a truck driver at the Washington County Creamery, and as a consigner for many years for Washington County Livestock and the Marysville Livestock Commission. He enjoyed raising cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens, hunting, fishing and most of all spending time with his family. He was a member of the Wholmoor American Legion Post in Linn for over 60 years and served as Post Commander for nine of those years. He was also a member of the Linn Booster Club and volunteered many hours helping Linn become a community we are all proud of. Kenny is survived by his wife, Lucille; three sons and one daughter, Lonny Landis and wife Susan, Salina; Steven Landis and wife Rose, Clay Center; Rick Landis and wife Brenda, Brookville; Vickie Hoover and husband Doug, Abilene; sister Faye Darrow, Fairbury, NE; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Kenny will be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Landis, two brothers, Roy Landis and Delbert Landis, two sisters, Idonna Peters and Mae Landis (infant) and a son-in-law Steven Larson. Memorials have been established to the Wholmoor American Legion Post #237. Contributions can be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kenneth W. Landis, please visit our flower store.