Elmer Jay Kathka was born March 16, 1926, on the family farm near
Oberlin, Kansas to Julius Arthur Kathka and Cora (Barrett) Kathka. He
was raised in Oberlin and attended school there, graduating from Decatur
Community High School with the class of 1944.
Elmer joined the US Navy with his twin brother Elner in 1944 and
served on the USS Rockbridge as a Seaman 1st Class. He was honorably
discharged in 1946.
In 1949, Elmer married Colleen (White) Kathka in Oberlin. They
resided in Oberlin and 4 children were born to this union, Steve Kathka,
Mara (Kathka) Crawford, Warren Kathka and Marrianne (Kathka) Ryno.
They were married for 28 years.
Elmer was married to Kay Lebsack in 1980. They were married for 1
year. He then married Violet Brown in 1983, they were married for 25
years.
Elmer farmed the family farm north of Oberlin in addition to several
leased properties in Decatur County. He owned and operated the 5th
Wheel Service Station and Café for 30 years. He also ran and operated
the Oberlin Insurance Agency for 10 years. Elmer was a past President
of the Highway 83 Association, a member of the United Methodist church,
VFW and American Legion.
On Saturday, May 14, 2022, Elmer passed away at his home at Kinship
Pointe, McCook, NE from natural causes. He was 96 years, 1 month and 29
days.
Survivors include Warren Kathka (son) and his wife Angela Ft. Worth,
TX, Marrianne (Kathka) Ryno (daughter) and her husband Michael,
Jefferson City, MO, Grandchildren Marcus Machart and his wife Karen,
Smithfield, VA, Mandel Machart and his wife Pramila, Sterling Heights,
MI, Matthew Machart and his wife Dakari, Clearwater, KS, Cassandra
Lentz, Salt Lake City, UT and Callie (Lentz) Cummings and her husband
Christopher, Leavenworth, KS, other great grandchildren, family and
friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius Kathka and
Cora (Barrett) Kathka, two children Steve E. Kathka and Mara Lou
(Kathka) Crawford, Grandson Kim Kathka, Siblings John J Kathka, Arlin
Kathka, Gilbert Kathka, Vonda (Kathka) Thrasher, Lyman Kathka, Della
(Kathka) Carter and Elner Kathka.
Graveside services will be held on May 27th, 2022, at 11:00 AM at
Oberlin Cemetery, Oberlin, KS. In lieu of flowers memorial
contributions may be made to the Oberlin American Legion Post #70.
Condolence can be left at www.paulsfh.com.