|
| |
Donald William Lonker, 88, stepped into his eternal home on Sunday, September 29, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at the Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. He was born May 29, 1936, in Wichita, Kansas, to Melvah and Mildred (Nelson) Lonker.
Don graduated from Medicine Lodge High School in 1954 and then attended Kansas State University where he completed his degree in ag economics. He married Barbara Jean (Lewis) Lonker in Corwin, Kansas, on July 26, 1958.
After graduating from Kansas State University of Veterinary Medicine in 1963, he began his professional career in Dodge City, Kansas. In 1966 he returned to his roots where he and Barbara made their permanent home in Medicine Lodge. He continued the Lonker legacy in the cattle business begun by his great-grandfather, raising Herefords and eventually Red Angus.
Don was a member of the Medicine Lodge Methodist Church, Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Blue Key, Kansas Livestock Association, American Hereford Association and American Veterinary Medical Association.
Don was a devoted man of faith, and his life was a testament to the dedication, loyalty and love he had for his family, community and the values he held dear.
Surviving are his wife, Barbara of Medicine Lodge, Kansas; children, Elizabeth (Brad) Forsyth (of Medicine Lodge, Kansas), Clint (Tammy) Lonker (of Medicine Lodge, Kansas), Brent (Serena) Lonker (of Fresno, California), Andrea (John) Fisher (of Medicine Lodge, Kansas), and American Field Service sons Uli (Caro) Leisch and Diego Vera; grandchildren Wendy (Jesse) Gwennap (of Sutton, Nebraska), Danielle (Luke) Waller (of Strong City, Kansas), Mathew (Carrie) Forsyth (of Medicine Lodge, Kansas), Sean Forsyth (of Medicine Lodge, Kansas), Mallory (Kyle) Powers (of Manhattan, Kansas), Courtney Lonker (of Medicine Lodge, Kansas), Brooklyn (Ethan) Loder (of Olathe, Kansas), Torrey Lonker (fiancé Mott Asuma) (of Manhattan, Kansas), Taryn Lonker (of Wichita, Kansas), Luke (Brooklyn) Fisher, Kirk Fisher, Jake Fisher (all of Medicine Lodge, Kansas), Elena and Noah Leisch (of Germany), great-grandchildren Hannah Chaon, Noah Gwennap, Gabe Gwennap, Landry Forsyth, Merritt Forsyth, Locke Forsyth, Clayton Forsyth, Brecklynn Forsyth, Rhett Forsyth, Kasold Powers, Huxley Powers and Bo Loder; one sister-in-law, Judi Lewis; nephews Dale (Jodi) Lonker, John (Mary) Lonker, Jason (Lindsay) Lewis and nieces Jamie Lonker and Summer (Brandon) Henry; and Special German Sons, Chris and Oli Stroehla and their families.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Kirk; brother, Jim Lonker; sister-in-law, Bobbie Lonker; and parents-in-law, Granville and Virgie Lewis; brother-in-law, Jim Lewis and sister-in-law, Sherri Lewis.
A celebration of life service will be held at Medicine Lodge Methodist Church at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. The family will greet friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall. A private burial was held at Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are designated for Medicine Lodge Methodist Church and Watchman Evangelism Ministries, a ministry of his dear friend Rob Schmutz.
Online condolences may be made at http://www.larrisonmortuary.com.
Barbara Jean (Lewis) Lonker, 34 days after the loss of her beloved husband of 66 years, joined him in the loving arms of their Savior on Saturday, November 2, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at the Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. She was born October 19, 1935, in Cherokee, Oklahoma, to Granville and Virgie (Merideth) Lewis.
Barbara graduated from Hazleton High School and then attended Kansas State University where she completed her degree in elementary education. After graduating from Kansas State University, she taught in Manhattan, Kansas, and Topeka, Kansas, public schools. She married Donald William Lonker in Corwin, Kansas, on July 26, 1958. She and Don made their permanent home in Medicine Lodge. They continued the Lonker legacy in the ranching business and established Don's veterinary practice. Barbara was a member of the Chi Omega sorority, Faith Circle, P.E.O, Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Cowbelles, and Medicine Lodge Methodist Church.
Barbara was a devoted woman of genuine faith, whose life radiated unwavering dedication, loyalty and love. Her kindness and generous giving were a gift to all who knew her, making each person feel valued, special and deeply loved. She poured herself into her family and community, touching lives with her warmth and compassion. Her legacy of selflessness and grace will forever be cherished by those she held dear.
Surviving are children Elizabeth (Brad) Forsyth of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Clint (Tammy) Lonker of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Brent (Serena) Lonker of Fresno, California, Andrea (John) Fisher of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and American Field Service sons Uli (Caro) Leisch and Diego Vera, grandchildren, Wendy (Jesse) Gwennap of Sutton, Nebraska, Danielle (Luke) Waller of Strong City, Kansas, Mathew (Carrie) Forsyth of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Sean Forsyth of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Mallory (Kyle) Powers of Manhattan, Kansas, Courtney Lonker of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Brooklyn (Ethan) Loder of Olathe, Kansas, Torrey Lonker (fiancé Mott Asuma) of Manhattan, Kansas, Taryn Lonker of Wichita, Kansas, Luke (Brooklyn) Fisher, Kirk Fisher, Jake Fisher, all of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Elena and Noah Leisch of Germany, great-grandchildren, Hannah Chaon, Noah Gwennap, Gabe Gwennap, Landry Forsyth, Merritt Forsyth, Locke Forsyth, Clayton Forsyth, Brecklynn Forsyth, Rhett Forsyth, Kasold Powers, Huxley Powers and Bo Loder, one sister-in-law, Judi Lewis, nephews, Dale (Jodi) Lonker, John (Mary) Lonker, Jason (Lindsay) Lewis and nieces, Jamie Lonker and Summer (Brandon) Henry, special German sons, Chris Strohla and Oli Strohla and families, special cousins, great nieces and nephews.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, parents, infant son, Kirk, sister, Sherrie Von Lewis, brother, Jim Lewis, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Bobbie Lonker, parents-in-law, Melvah and Mildred Lonker.
A celebration of life service will be held at Medicine Lodge Methodist Church at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. The family will greet friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials designated to Medicine Lodge Methodist Church, which will include several missions near and dear to Barbara's heart such as World Vision and Heifer Project, in care of Larrison Funeral Home, 120 E. Lincoln, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.
The grandchildren request a special offering to Operation Christmas Child through bringing an item or cash donation to carry the legacy of her generous spirit and family tradition.
Condolences may be left at http://www.larrisonmortuary.com.
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2026 Oklahoma CemeteriesThe information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.