Henry Wendell Kite

Henry Wendell Kite, 83, of Junction City, Kansas, died Sunday, November 8, at Geary Community Hospital in Junction City. He was born on December 21, 1925, the son of Judge E.E. and Ruby C. Kite in St. Francis, Kansas. Growing up under the shadow of being a judge's son, Wendell learned that he should always "do the right thing." He was always proud of being the 125-pound center on the undefeated, league champion St. Francis Community High School football team. He began military service during World War II before graduating from high school but, while on furlough, was able to participate in his high school graduation ceremony at St. Francis Community High School in full dress uniform in 1944. In World War II, Wendell served with the Army Air Corps as a ball-turret gunner on a B-17. He was based at RAF Knettishall, England and flew in thirty-five missions over the European Theater. Wendell and Dulcie were able to return to the site of this air base as part of their fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration.

Upon returning home from the war, Wendell enrolled at Kansas State University and became a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He married his childhood sweetheart and classmate, Dulcie Mae Danielson, on December 28, 1946. She currently resides in Junction City. Wendell was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Warren, and is survived by a brother, John Kite, of St. Francis. Other survivors include three sons, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren: son Tom and his wife Shelley, of Junction City, Kansas; Tom's daughter Kelley of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Tom's son, Kyle and his wife Kelli and their two children Brigette and Broderick of Yuma, Colorado; son Tim and his wife Cindy, of Onaga, Kansas; their daughter Ashlyn and her husband Cody Hartwich, also of Onaga, Kansas; son Ed and his wife Joanne and their son Andy of Baldwin City, Kansas.

Wendell graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Business in 1949. He returned to St. Francis, Kansas, after graduating from college and worked for Danielson Hardware before becoming a full-time farmer. Wendell enjoyed the independence of managing his own farm and the time it allowed him to spend with his family and teach his sons true family values. He was a member of The United Methodist Church in St. Francis, a V.F.W. member, and served as the president of the local Shrine Club. Wendell retired from farming in 1989, and he and Dulcie moved to Junction City in 2003 so that they could be closer to their sons' families. He was a three-time cancer survivor. Wendell worked hard but never forgot how to have fun. He especially enjoyed playing golf and pulling his fifth-wheel with his pontoon boat behind it and fishing in Texas with friends. He also enjoyed traveling and was able to go on trips with friends to Spain, Hawaii, and Las Vegas.

A memorial service for the family at the Wendell Kite home in Junction City will be held on December 13. Wendell asked that some of his ashes be scattered on the farm which he owned and operated and that some be placed along with a marker in the St. Francis cemetary. A memorial service in St. Francis is planned for spring of 2010. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home of Junction City, 203 N. Washington Street, Junction City, KS 66441.