Carl Victor Wahlmeier, Jennings
https://www.plumergobber.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=28569006
February 5, 1942 - July 27, 2023
Carl Victor Wahlmeier, 81, of Jennings, KS died Thursday, July 27, 2023. Carl was born February 5, 1942, to Aloysius Louis and Credilla Ruth (Spohrer) Wahlmeier in the family farm house near Jennings, KS.
He graduated from Jennings High School in 1960. He spent his freshman year of college playing football at McCook Community College in McCook, NE. He transferred to Kansas State University and earned a bachelor of science in agricultural education in 1964.
Carl was united in the sacrament of marriage to Linda Stackhouse at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo, KS on January 2, 1963. They celebrated 60 years of marriage this year. Carl and Linda knew each other throughout their school years and their parents were friends. As they grew up, Linda said Carl was always her protector.
After college, Carl served as a high school vocational agriculture instructor and FFA advisor for many years beginning in Scandia, KS, then Norton, KS, with most of his career at Jennings High School. He also coached high school sports including football, women’s basketball, women’s track, and men’s basketball. Carl was passionate about education and enjoyed working with young people.
As much as Carl loved teaching and coaching, his true vocation was farming. He and his wife Linda took over the family farm from his parents in 1975. Carl always explored new farming methods and crop varieties. He was an early adopter of no-till farming and raised certified seed wheat. Carl served on the board of directors for the National Farmers Organization (NFO) for several years. He was a board member and served as chair for the Decatur County Natural Resources Conservation Service. He farmed until his retirement at age 78 in 2020.
Family was important to Carl. He and Linda loved their children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, siblings, nieces, and nephews. There was always a gathering at the farm to either work on a project or celebrate an event. Many young people lived with Carl and Linda at various times for various reasons. They unofficially adopted Eric Strick as their fifth son and are very proud of him and his young family. Carl and Linda also hosted two foreign exchange students, Andrej Radonic of Germany, and Michiko Wada of Japan.
Carl was devoted to his faith and served as a role model to those around him. He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Almelo, KS. He served in many roles over the years including as a Eucharistic minister. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He and Linda told their sons that the greatest gift they gave them was their faith in God.
Everyone enjoyed Carl’s sense of humor. He never missed a chance to use a pun or tell a “dad joke.” What we loved the most is that he couldn't tell a joke without the following happening; he would start the joke, then he would start giggling so hard that he couldn’t speak, next we all would start to laugh because he was laughing, finally he would get the punchline wrong and we would all explode in laughter. To say he will be missed is an understatement. Carl’s legacy is one of hard work, kindness, humor, humble devotion to God, and love of family.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers Norbert, Vincent, Robert, Galen, Paul, and Louis Wahlmeier; sisters Loretta Byrne, Virginia Bruggeman, Rita Pallante, and Sister Francis Cabrini (Mae) Wahlmeier.
Carl is survived by his wife Linda of Methodist Village Senior Living, Fort Smith, AR, sons Craig (Lisa) Wahlmeier of Alma, AR, Curt (Becky) Wahlmeier of Jennings, KS, Cary Wahlmeier of Jennings, KS, Daniel (Shelly) Wahlmeier of Clayton, KS, and Eric (Jeannie) Strick of Arnett, OK; grandchildren Gentry (Paige) Wahlmeier of Van Buren, AR, Tessa Wahlmeier (engaged to Gabriel Anderson) of Oberlin, KS, Keegan Wahlmeier of Jennings, KS, Taylor Wahlmeier of Oberlin, KS, Luke Wahlmeier of Jennings, KS, Jazzmin Wahlmeier of Clayton, KS, Joaquin Wahlmeier (engaged to Helen Carlin) of Phillipsburg, KS, Bayne Strick of Arnett, OK, Alexandra Strick, of Arnett, OK; great-grandchild Emmaline Wahlmeier of Van Buren, AR; brothers Hugh (Kay) Wahlmeier of Horseheads, NY, John (Francia) Wahlmeier of San Manuel, AZ; sisters Elaine Veach of Nashville, TN, and Jane (John) Cassidy of Stillwell, KS; along with many, many nephews, nieces, and friends.
Visitation is 5:00-7:00 p.m., with a vigil at 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2023, at the New Almelo Gymnasium. Funeral mass is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, New Almelo, KS, with burial in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654.
Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com.
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