Edwin Wehner, Sr.

E dwin P. Wehner, Sr., 81, of Sabetha died Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at the Sabetha Community Hospital.  He was born on May 23, 1932 the son of Peter and Christine (Hagen) Wehner at Wein, Missouri.  He attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Wein, Missouri.

He worked in the farming community until joining the army.  He served from 1952 to 1954 in Korea.  He returned to the farm and later headed to Kansas City and attended Barber College, graduating on August 2, 1955.  He met the love of his life, Alice Tangeman.  They were married on May 30, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, Kansas.  Six children were born to this union.   He barbered in Kansas City for 22 years.  He changed his career, and went back to his family roots and stayed in the Sabetha area farming for 40 years.  After reaching semi-retirement from farming, he and Alice took to the roads of the United States.  They bought a mobile home and settled in Donna, Texas.  They enjoyed the fellowship of many new friends until 2011.

Ed was diagnosed with cancer in May of 2012 and went through chemotherapy for four months. He then chose to have surgery to remove the cancer.  He remained in the hospital for six weeks.  When all looked bleak he fought back and was able to come home.  Unfortunately, after getting home they found more cancer and was told he had six weeks to three months to live.  But he proved them wrong again!  He lived another 10 months.  He spent the rest of his days doing what he wanted at home.  He kept his lawn mowed and loved to ride the “Gravely” mower.  He had to have purpose and working and playing was what he loved to do.

He was preceded in death by his parents.  Survivors include his wife, Alice Wehner; children, Wanda (Rusty) Kaberline of Topeka, David Wehner of Sabetha, Donna (Jeff) Abrams of Silver Lake, Steve (Tina) of Wetmore, Eddie Wehner, Jr. of Wetmore  and Janice (Dan) Dalinghaus of Sabetha; brothers, Wilfred (Dorothy) Wehner of Lee’s Summit, MO and Everett (Joann) Wehner of Belton, MO; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sabetha.  A family rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. and a parish rosary at 6:30 p.m. with visitation to follow at the Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha.  Interment is in the St. Mary’s Church Cemetery in St. Benedict.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Nemaha County Home Health and Hospice or the Sacred Heart Catholic Youth Group, sent in care of the funeral home, 823 Virginia, Sabetha, Kansas.