Alfred Link

Alfred E. Link, 83, of Iola, Kansas, died Sunday, March 23, 2014, at the Allen County Regional Hospital. Alfred was born July 21, 1930, in Yates Center, Kansas, the son of John J. and Frances V. (Denner) Link. He grew up on the family farm southeast of Yates Center and he attended Cherry Creek School District 14, graduated from Yates Center High School in 1948 and Iola Junior College in 1950. He farmed and also worked for 40 years for the Kansas National Guard as a battalion training NCO at the Iola National Guard. He retired with the top rank of Rtd. Command Sgt. Major. He was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame in 2008. On June 6, 1964, Alfred married Phyllis M. (Adams) Gray at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Piqua. They made their home on the farm at Yates Center until moving to Iola in 1975. They built their new home on south Sycamore and moved in Dec. 31, 2001. Phyllis preceded him in death April 22, 2008. His memberships include St. John's Catholic Church, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, American Legion in Iola, Veterans Day Committee Chairman and Farm City Days Committee. He has coached girl's softball and served on the Piqua Farmer's Coop Board of Directors and on the Southeast Kansas Swine Association. SURVIVORS: 2 Daughters: Maria Erb & husband, Dale of LaHarpe, KS, and Susan Downey & husband, Stan of Newton, KS 2 Brothers: Louis J. Link of Kensington, MD, and John "Jerry" Link of Pratt, KS 2 Sisters: Sister Regina Mary Link of Leavenworth, KS and Ruth Deuschle of Prairie Village, KS 4 Grandchildren: Virginia Marker & husband, Dustin of Lee's Summit, MO, Jennifer Hummel & husband, Robert of Olathe, KS, Zachary Downey of Salina, KS and Brendan Downey of Newton, KS VISITATION: 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. ROSARY & MASS: The parish rosary will be recited at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2014, followed the celebration of the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. both at St. John's Catholic Church in Iola. BURIAL: St. Martin's Cemetery, Piqua, KS MEMORIAL CHOICES: St. John's Catholic Church or Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. To sign the guestbook online or leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com .