Edward Herman Thode, 82, died September 7, 2020, at his home. He was born December 5, 1937, in Plevna, to Albert D. and Thelma E. (Drake) Thode.
Edward graduated from Nickerson High School in 1955. He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1960, spending three of those years in Germany. After his honorable discharge, Edward worked at Packaging Corporation, drove truck for Ark Valley Dairy, and then worked at Cessna-Eaton Corp. for 38 ½ years, retiring in 2000. After retirement, he worked in the Encampment building at the Kansas State Fair and at the NJCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Edward’s hobbies included trains, model airplanes, playing chess, collecting coins, metal-detecting, reading, and watching sports. He had a thirst for history and loved to travel and stop at every museum he saw.
Edward had been a member of First Mennonite Church since 1964.
On June 3, 1962, he married Marlene A. Gehring at Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge. She survives.
Also surviving are: sons, Dr. Jeffery Thode (Denise), Hutchinson, Sgt. Michael Thode (Candace), Wichita; daughter, Angela Haskins (Bruce), Dana Point, CA; grandchildren, Elijah and Christina Thode, Jaden and Jake Haskins; brothers, Larry Thode (Letha), Ralph Thode; sister-in-law, Marie Thode; and stepsister, Jenese Groth.
Edward was preceded in death by: his parents; stepfather, George Groth; brother, Estel Thode; sister-in-law, Murial Thode; stepbrother, Gordon Groth; stepsister, Marceline Pennington.
Private family burial will take place in Fairlawn Burial Park. Memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2020, at First Mennonite Church, 52 Rambler Rd., with Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger officiating. Due to the pandemic, attendance will be limited and attendees must wear a mask. The service can be viewed by selecting the link on the church’s website, www.hutchfmc.org. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with family present from 2 to 4 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to Kindred Hospice, First Mennonite Church, or Christian Soup Ministry, Inc., in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.