Larry Keith Kohlmeier

Larry Keith Kohlmeier; Paxico, KS., born September 9, 1940 in Clay Center, KS. Larry was the son of Herman and Leona (Reinert) Kohlmeier. He was received into God's family through Holy Baptism at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in rural Linn, KS and was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Greenleaf, KS. He attended elementary school at Consolidated 23, Enosdale, KS. and Immanuel Lutheran School, Linn, KS. He graduated from Morrowville High School, in Morrowville. KS. In 1958.

Larry was a loyal alumnus of his alma mater, Morrowville High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. Larry excelled in basketball and helped to lead his team to a state tournament in Emporia, KS his senior year. He kept friendships with many of his basketball team members by returning to his Alumni Reunion almost every year.

Larry enjoyed his childhood in Kansas, often sharing stories of chores, livestock and farming life with siblings and friends. Being raised on a farm in Washington County KS., Larry became his dad 's right-hand man. He became foreman of the chores, tending to the livestock which included raising chickens, hogs and milk cows that helped ingrain a strong work ethic. His boyhood home was without electricity, running water or indoor bathroom facilities but this never mattered much as he loved farm life and particularly driving his dad 's only new tractor; a 1937 John Deere A. Throughout his childhood, he was involved in 4-H which allowed him the opportunity to judge and show animals at the county fair to help prepare him for FFA classes in high school; which were his favorites. The love and passion of farm life eventually encouraged him to buy land near Burlington Kansas, as well as acreage surrounding his home in Paxico, KS. where he lived for many years. The tending and toiling of the soil eventually led to his career of displaying and presenting the product of the soil in the produce departments of many grocery stores. He had a career with Safeway, Bauersfield and Fleming Food Distribution Company. His personality and people skills led to a promotion with Dole Corporation where he served in numerous states helping produce managers with their displays where he was soon dubbed the "Banana Man."

Larry was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland, KS. serving his Lord in quiet ways along with some leadership roles at the church. He was a family man and raised two sons Jay, and Greg with his first wife Carolyn. He later re-married, Donna Boyd, and lovingly raised her three children, Jimmy, Richard, and Nicol. He enjoyed supporting his children and grandchildren in all their various scholastic and athletic activities. He loved music and learned to play the guitar often playing a night for the family. He loved to attend the various music events and festivals in the Paxico community. He also enjoyed estate sales, antique sales, and had an antique store in Paxico for many years which later led to a hobby of selling items on eBay. He was also an avid sports fan of the Kansas State Wildcats, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Kansas City Royals. Larry and his brother Marvin enjoyed using their season tickets to attend Kansas State Wildcats games together.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Leona Kohlmeier, sister-in-law Karen Kohlmeier and brother-in-law, Melvin Paulsen. Survivors include his wife, Donna (Boyd); his sisters, Joyce Paulsen and Ruth (Eugene) Kanning; brothers, Marvin Kohlmeier and Stanley Kohlmeier; sons, Jay Alan (Estella) Kohlmeier, Gregory Keith (Deann) Kohlmeier, Richard (Michele) Coomes, James (Tricia) Coomes, and a daughter, Nicol (Allen) Woolaway; granddaughters Kelsey Kohlmeier, Keylee (Sean) Prinster; Ariel Coomes, Avery and Ayden Coomes. His grandsons include Jay Alan Kohlmeier, II (fiancé Joelie Williams), Aaron (Andrea) Coomes, Patrick (Sophia) Ringering, Brandon Ringering, Matthew Woolaway and Joshua Woolaway.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 10:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland, KS. The Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 am followed by a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Lutheran Hour or the Orphan Grain Train.