Gary Dean Mantz was born July 6, 1942 at the old Baker Hospital in LaCrosse, KS to Ed and Violet (Brack) Mantz. He grew up on the family farm northeast of Bazine. He graduated in 1961 from Bazine High School. He married Dianna Misegadis March 4, 1962 at the Methodist Church in Rush Center, KS. To this union two children were born, Brenda in 1963 and Greg in 1966. Gary and Dianna raised their children, farmed and had a small dairy herd on his Grandpa Mantz’ homestead just north of Bazine. He also hauled oversized fiberglass tanks for KBK Industries, Rush Center for 19 years, 1989-2008. After retiring from KBK, Gary and Dianna had a small herd of beef cattle, which in later years required assistance from their son and grandson. Gary passed away Monday January 8, 2024 in Ness City KS at the age of 81. Gary was a lifelong member of the Bazine Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, D.H. “Dick” Misegadis and Irma (Fox) Misegadis, his sister, Kay (Mantz) Fiala, 2 brothers-in-law, George Fiala and Fred Lewis, 2 sisters-in-law, Robin (Wright) Misegadis and Mary (Dale) Misegadis.
Left to mourn are his wife, Dianna of the home; daughter Dr. Brenda Mantz DC of Ransom, KS; son Dr. Greg Mantz DVM of Armour, SD; granddaughter Ashley (Mantz) Benkendorf and husband Ephraim of Enid, OK; grandson Thomas Heily of Ransom,KS; 2 great-grandchildren, Anna Benkendorf and Leland Benkendorf of Enid OK; a brother and sister-in-law, Gail and Marilyn Mantz of Bazine, KS; a sister-in-law, Yvonne Lewis of Phoenix, AZ; 2 brothers-in-law, Eldon Misegadis of Great Bend,KS and Todd Misegadis of Rush Center, KS; 4 nephews: Chad Mantz, Joel Fiala, Doug Richardson, Jason Misegadis and 3 nieces: Anne Richardson, Christina (Misegadis) Campbell, Megan (Mantz) Malleck; nephews and nieces-in-law; great nephews and nieces; cousins, church members, neighbors and friends.
Services Monday, January 15, 2024 2:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home of Ness City. Burial at the Bazine Township Cemetery. Memorials to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital or donor’s choice.