Butch Kleinschmidt
Former Herington mayor M.T. "Butch" Kleinschmidt, 88, died Oct. 24, 2003, at Herington Municipal Hospital.
Born Aug. 25, 1915, west of Herington in the Lyons Creek community, he was the son of William F. and Sophia W. (Schacht) Kleinschmidt.
He was a farmer and railroad brakeman/conductor. He retired as a conductor from the Rock Island Railroad in 1976.
A member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, he served on the church building committee and as church treasurer.
A graduate of Herington High School in 1933, he was a former mayor of the city. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European theater.
On Dec. 25, 1940, he married Elsie E. Wernecke at St. John's Lutheran Church, Lyons Creek. She died July 15, 1993.
He also was preceded in death by a brother, Clemens Kleinschmidt; and five sisters, Esther Nash, Hilda Gold, Mildred Kleinschmidt, Stella Gold, and Loretta Duffy.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Neal Foster of Evergreen, Colo., and Jan and Steve Bryant of Wichita; a sister, Luella Wisener of Wichita; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Herington, with the Rev. Troy Slater officiating.
Burial was in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Herington.
A memorial fund has been established with Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Herington.
