Rodger Funk, longtime farmer and resident of rural Garden City, died in his home on May 4, 2024.
Rodger was born September 18, 1927 in Salina, Kansas to his parents, Wanna Ford Funk and Rodger Funk, Sr. He graduated in 1946 from Dickinson County Community High School in Chapman, Kansas.
Rodger attended Kansas State College, but seeing the need for the GI Bill, Rodger postponed his education for service in the U.S. Army. Rodger served 18 months in post-war Europe, after which he returned to K-State, graduating in 1950.
Rodger was united in marriage to Vivian Bebermeyer, August 5, 1950, in Abilene, Kansas. They made their home in Great Bend, Kansas with Rodger’s intention of pursuing a career as a county agricultural extension agent. His plans were interrupted in October, 1950 as Rodger was unexpectedly called back into the Army Reserves because of the Korean conflict. Fortunately, the Army assigned Rodger to be a meat inspector in Chicago, where Vivian was able to join him.
Yearning to own land, Rodger entered his name in a drawing for veterans who could purchase and homestead land through the Bureau of Reclamation. His name was drawn for a unit near Hot Springs, South Dakota, where Rodger and Vivian relocated and farmed for nine years. Rodger also taught 5th-8th grade in a two room school in Smithwick, South Dakota.
Rodger and Vivian became parents of three children; Beth in 1952, Boyd in 1953, and Brenda in 1954.
When his father-in-law, Elmer Bebermeyer, was ready to retire, he offered to sell his Finney County land to Rodger and Vivian, so the Funk family returned to Kansas in the fall of 1962.
Rodger was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on church committees and as a Sunday School teacher.
Rodger served on various community boards; school, coop, soil conservation, crop improvement, extension, library, and museum.
Rodger was named a Kansas Master Farmer in 1985, a meritorious graduate of Chapman High School in 1994, and more recently, the Garden City Coop honored Rodger in their local hall of fame.
Rodger was a reader, traveler, and life long learner who enjoyed a wide range of interests. He appreciated the cultural and ethnic diversity of Garden City. He was a longtime supporter of public radio and television, the Kansas Humanities Council, historical museums, and public libraries.
Rodger will be dearly missed by his survivors; his wife of 73 years, Vivian, along with his children; Beth Love (Dan) of Dodge City, Boyd Funk (Conny) of Garden City, and Brenda Funk of Kansas City. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Elliot Funk (Sami) of Des Moines, Hannah Love of Fort Collins, Sam Funk (Chelsea) of Colby, and Ben Love of Fort Collins, along with two great-grandchildren; Seth Funk and Shea Funk of Colby, Kansas.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday May 7, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Garden City, Kansas. Services will be available for viewing through the Garnand Funeral Homes Facebook Page at the time of service. Burial will follow immediately in Valley View Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be given to the Garden City First United Methodist Church, in care of Garnand Funeral Home.