Elmer Tatsch

Elmer Tatsch, age 75, of Iola, Kansas passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas. Elmer was born August 1, 1939 in Fredericksburg, Texas, the son of Arvin and Anita (Feller) Tatsch. He grew up in Fredericksburg, graduating from high school there. In 1958 he married Ann Mayer, two children were born to this union, Share and Perry, and they later divorced. Elmer served in the US Army from 1958 to 1962. Following his military service he returned to Albert, Texas. After moving to Blue Lake, Texas Elmer built and ran a convenience store, and construction company. He built fence for area ranches, building the perimeter fence for Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch. In 1966 Elmer moved to Drexel, Missouri where he managed a ranch for the Oppenheimer Cattle Company. In 1968 Elmer married Paulette Obermeier, this union was blessed with Lisa and Kathy. In 1970 he moved to the Moran and Iola area, where he started Tatsch Construction. In 1984 Elmer helped build PWWSD #5. He then became the manager of the water plant and continued in that capacity until his death. In 1994 Elmer and his daughter, Kathy, started the Tatsch Pallet Company in Iola. Elmer always kept livestock, with horses being his favorite. He enjoyed breaking and training cutting horses to work with cattle. He always enjoyed travelling, particularly flying back to visit family in Texas. His greatest joy was his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kathy Dougherty in 2011; three grandchildren, Stacey Tatsch, Gannon Dougherty, Sean Saenger. Elmer is survived by his three children, Share Saenger and husband, Roy, Perry Tatsch of Hye, Texas, and Lisa Sanford and husband, Jeff, of Gainesville, Georgia; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Andrew Tatsch of Stonewall, Texas; and one niece and nephew. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, June 5, 2015 at the First Christian Church, 1608 Oregon Road, Iola, Kansas, burial will follow in the Moran Cemetery, Moran, Kansas. The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Moran, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Elmer Tatsch Memorial fund for the benefit of Iola FFA. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .