William W. Lichtenhan

William Wayne Lichtenhan of Dwight, Kansas joined his heavenly father on January 10, 2013. He was 88 years of age and passed away at Geary Community Hospital.

The family will receive friends at the visitation Thursday, Jan 17th from 6-8 p.m. with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. at Penwell Gabel, 203 N. Washington, Junction City. The funeral service will be held Friday Jan. 18th at 10 a.m. at St. Xavier's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Junction City. Memorial contributions have been designated to the St. Xavier Catholic Church, P.O. Box 399, Junction City, KS 66441 the St. Mary's Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 833, Junction City, KS 66441 and the Geary County 4-H Foundation, P.O. Box 28, Junction City, KS 66441.

Bill was born Oct. 30, 1924 in Junction City the son of Will & Vellah (Harris) Lichtenhan. He is preceded in death by his one older brother Don Lichtenhan. Bill attended Schmedemann grade school on Humboldt Creek in eastern Geary County. Later, he attended St. Xavier's school and graduated his senior year from Junction City High School in 1942. He attended KSU for 1 semester majoring in agriculture.

During his youth he played baseball, basketball, he loved to ride horses, raise animals. Bill enjoyed dancing, and meeting new people. He lived 84 years on the farm he was born and raised on. Located on Humboldt Creek Road, Bill loved farming and raising wheat, milo, alfalfa and cattle his entire life. Bill worked 17 years for Farm Bureau Mutual and Farm Life Insurance Company as a general agent and adjustor in Geary County. He worked for Geary County Extension service preparing income tax for many area farmers and neighbors. He worked for the Geary County Clerk on Land classification maps. Being a DeKalb seed dealer afforded Bill many opportunities to meet new people in Geary and surrounding counties.

He served on the Humboldt School Board, as a trustee on the Wingfield Township and was a charter board member of the Morris County Rural water District #1. He was an active member of the Humboldt 4-H club as well as serving as project leader. He was a member of Who's Who, the Geary County 4-H clubs senior council. He was a member of St. Xavier's Church his entire life and served ten years as a Eucharistic minister. He donated many hours to helping with fundraisers at the St. Claire House which helps women and children in need. Bill moved to Chapman Valley Manor in December 2008.

William married Marjorie Aspley on May 5, 1953 in Manhattan Kansas and they were life partners for 59 years and 8 months. They raised their five daughters on the family farm where Bill was born and shared many celebrations and life experiences. Bill is a polio survivor of 56 years and survived cancer. Bill and Marge enjoyed traveling and visited most of North America, as well as Jamaica, Costa Rica, and toured countries in Europe. Bill enjoyed a good joke, playing cards, family history and visiting with others. Marge currently resides at Chapman Valley Manor in Chapman, KS.

His five daughters include: Elaine & Ron Dean of Glen Elder, Janet & Richard Haag from Emporia, Pam & Dan Boller of Junction City, Anita & Keith Ascher of Junction City, and Vickie & Todd Kline from Dwight, KS. Grandchildren include: Brandon & Dianna Dibben and children Mikayla, Kourtney, Brittney and Deyton, Jennifer & Brian Blume and daughter Brenn, Kristen & Matt Dieter and son Grayson, John & Jennifer Haag and daughter Ashley, Ruth & Mike DeLange and sons Michael and Zachary, Adam and Katie Haag, Rachel Haag, Sarah & Nigel Locke and son Camden, Amy & Chad Blockcolsky and sons Braden & Colden, Audrey & Jason Worthington, Ray & Susan Boller and children Damia, Katherine and Ray Junior, Tonia and Roger Carlson and children Cheyenne and Justin, and the youngest grandchildren Olivia & Jared Kline.