OBITUARY: Harley Wayne VanGieson Sr.

Harley Wayne VanGieson Sr., 86, of Rago, retired farmer and custom harvester, passed away Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at Wheatland Health Care Center, Kingman.  

Harley was born Nov. 13, 1936, at home in rural Kingman to Olen (Pete) and Ruth (Brooks) VanGieson. He grew up in the Adams/Norwich community and graduated from Norwich High School with the class of 1954. 

Harley entered the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 19, 1955, and was stationed in Texas before transferring to St. Paul, Minnesota where he met Marilyn Kay Wanous. The two were wed on June 8, 1957, in the Church of Christ, St. Paul, Minn. Harley was reassigned and stationed in El Paso, Texas, where they were blessed with their first child, Harley Wayne VanGieson, Jr. in 1958. Harley was ultimately honorably discharged from the Air Force on July 2, 1959, and the family returned to Norwich. 

During this time, Harley and Marilyn started a custom harvesting crew and were blessed with four more children, Robert Eugene (Bobby) in 1959, Lori Lynn in 1962, Randy Severin in 1967, and Jodi Kay in 1970. 

Harley was preceded in death by his parents; one son Randy VanGieson and one infant granddaughter Angel VanGieson. 

He is survived by his wife Marilyn VanGieson of Rago, son Wayne (Grace) VanGieson of Norwich, son Bobby (Janet) VanGieson of Norwich, daughter Lori (Paul) Maness of Norwich, daughter Jodi (Kyle) VanGieson of Carter, Okla., daughter-in-law Janet VanGieson of Norwich, sister Janet Doze (Charles) and sister Beverly Miller of Wichita, 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and a number of other relatives and friends. 

A Memorial Service was conducted Saturday, Nov. 11, at Norwich Methodist Church. Private inurnment was in Upchurch Cemetery, Norwich. Arrangements were by Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs. Online condolences and guest book are available www.ebersolemortuary.com.

Memorials have been established to Norwich Church of Christ, Wheatland Health Care Center and Rivercross Hospice.