Kenneth Lee Weide

Kenneth Lee Weide, age 75, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Monday, June 4, 2012, at Bickford Assisted Living in Overland Park, Kansas. He was born on August 28, 1936, in Yates Center, Kansas, the son of Nelson Henry and Anna Louise (Neufeld) Weide. Ken grew up in Osawatomie, Kansas, and graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1954. Following school Ken worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad for a few years before joining the military with his twin brother, Keith. Ken served in the US Army from 1959 to 1963 and in the Army Reserves until 1965. While serving in the military, he was a part of the 3rd Infantry Presidential Honor Guard, also known as the Old Guard, with duties that included marching in President Kennedy's Inaugural Parade and with the company color guard, as well as guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Following his time in the service he attended Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. Ken was united in marriage to Joyce Helen Byerley on October 13, 1963. They moved to Garnett in 1971 and they were parents to Nathan and Nicole. Joyce preceded him in death on June 28, 1989. Ken married Erma Eileen "Casey" Eilts on February 9, 1992. They were married for 10 years; she also preceded him in death. Ken worked for Garnett State Savings Bank from 1971 until retiring in 1998. He was very active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as the Troop 126 Scoutmaster, and in 1982 earned the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award by the Heart of America Council. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and participated in many board meetings, ice cream socials, and pancake breakfasts. Ken was also an active member in many civic organizations, some of those included: Garnett City Planning Commission, Garnett Rotary Club, Prairie Spirit Rail Trail, East Central Kansas Model T Club, and the Anderson County Flying Club. Ken enjoyed playing, coaching, and umpiring fastpitch softball. In his spare time and later in life he was a master of piddlin', demonstrating the art of apple cider making, and touring with his antique cars. Ken will be remembered as a kind, loving, generous, and dependable man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Ken is survived by his son, Nathan Weide and wife Brandy of Garnett, Kansas; daughter, Nicole Weide and Patty Kobe of Overland Park, Kansas; two grandchildren, Bailey and Braxton Weide of Garnett; three brothers, Eugene Weide and wife Sarah of Glenwood, Iowa; twin brother Keith Weide and wife Rosemary of Omaha, Nebraska; Jack Weide and wife Maralin of Council Bluffs, Iowa; several nieces and nephews, and many other family members. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Family will be present to greet friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service time. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Garnett Cemetery in Garnett, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America Troop 126 or to the First United Methodist Church and left in care of the funeral home.