John B. Wolken

John B. Wolken, age 82, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Parkview Heights in Garnett.

John was born on December 12, 1940, at Greeley, Kansas. He was the youngest of seven children born to August and Gertrude (Lanzrath) Wolken. John grew up near Greeley, attending St. John's school and then graduating from Greeley High School in 1958. Following high school, John played basketball at Chanute Junior College. John worked as a welder and pipefitter throughout his career. He started out working at Taylor Forge in Paola as an 18 year old welder. From there his work and his skills took him throughout the Midwest working on numerous missile silos, refineries and manufacturing facilities in Kansas, Colorado, Missouri and Illinois. He retired from the Pipefitters Local 533 in 2002. Throughout his working career, John also maintained a herd of cattle. He was an early adopter of the Simmental breed and he went on to develop and raise some of the finest Simmental cattle in this part of the country.

John was a member of the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Garnett. He was willing to lend his time and talents to countless friends and community projects. In his retirement years John enjoyed hosting Wednesday afternoon cards in his shop. He was a dedicated grandfather, attending as many of his grandchildren's events as possible. Honesty and hard work were two traits commonly associated with John, he instilled those in his sons and was proud to see those traits passed on through their families.

In 1961, John married Carolyn Hager in Garnett, Kansas. Their union was blessed with two sons, Tom and Chuck. They later divorced. John later married Fern Sprague on June 23, 1989, and they enjoyed 31 years together.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Fern Wolken on August 21, 2020; his brother, Louis Wolken; three sisters, Delores Gibney, Kathleen Guilfoyle, and Mary Agnes Obermeier.

John is survived by his sons, Tom Wolken and wife, Deanna; and Chuck Wolken and wife, Tina of Garnett; six grandchildren, Emily Devall and Brandon, Katelyn Schroeder and Mitch, Reuben Wolken and Morgan, Richele Parks and Shawn, Jacob Wolken, and Johanna McDaniel and Aaron; 11 great grandchildren; Fern's children and their families, Lonnie Sprague and wife Jo Helen of Kincaid, Kansas, Latricia Gainer and husband, Ron of Penn Valley, California, and Shayla Church and husband Jody of Kincaid; and two sisters, Bernadette Madison and Betty Jo Rainwater; and many nieces and nephews and other family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30AM on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Greeley, Kansas. A rosary will be held at 6:00 PM, Thursday, followed by visitation from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose School or to the Anderson County Fair Association and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .