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Don Messenger passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at his home in Garden City, Kansas. He was born on March 13, 1925 in Scott County, Kansas. He was the son of Arno & Blanche (Brown) Messenger.
Don attended Scott County rural schools and Scott County High School.
In 1946, he was drafted by the United States Army becoming a veteran of World War II, serving in Korea. Through the GI Bill, Don earned his pilot’s license. He loved flying planes.
On November 6, 1949, he married Wauneta Strickert in Scott County, on Wauneta’s Parent’s farm. They were married 66 years and 9 months, and he still fondly called her “Honey.”
Don was a farmer and stockman first and foremost. He always said he was nearest to God when he was out in the fields farming. His motto was, “If man can do it so can I” and he did. His skills in carpentry, plumbing, and electricity proved to be very useful throughout his life.
Don loved his family and they remember that love, and all the ways he showed it. His children never had to question if they were going to church on Sunday, it was understood that the family was going. Wauneta made many family meals over the past 66 years and Don never left the table without saying, “That was a good meal.” Don loved to dance, play cards with family and friends, and driving fast.
Always active in the community, Don was a member of the VFW, American Legion, The Elks, Eagle’s, and Finney County Senior Center. Don also served on the Board of Directors for Golden Plains Credit Union and the Farmers Home Administration. Don was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He served as an Elder and an usher for Sunday services. Don was also a member of the Board of Education and served as church secretary.
Survivors include his wife, Wauneta; two sons Charles (Chuck) & wife Cindy Messenger and Chad & wife Cheryl Messenger of Garden City; a daughter Dawnnel & husband Frank Francis of Garden City; seven Grandchildren; nine Great Grandchildren; a brother Kenneth & wife Shirley Messenger of Grove, Ok.: a sister Peri & husband Bill Neill of Hartville, Mo.; an aunt Gertrude Brown of Scott City, Ks.; and two Sisters-In-Law Betty Messenger of Garden City, Ks. and Vada (Perky) Messenger of Republic, Mo.
Don was preceded in death by a daughter Donnetta Fay who died in January 1953; his parents, two brothers Harry Messenger and Arnold (Lee) Messenger; a sister Glenda Burgess; and his Step-Mother Ruth Uzzell.
He will be missed greatly, by his family.
Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Garden City with Pastor Lyle Stuehrenberg officiating. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6 at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City with military rites conducted by the Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard and the American Legion District #8 Honor Guard. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and the family will be at the Garnand Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday to visit with friends. The family request memorials given to Trinity Lutheran Church or to the Finney County Senior Center both in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City.