Harry L. Wasko

Harry L. Wasko, 82, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at Ransom Memorial Hospital. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2015, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ottawa. A rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2015, at Sacred Heart followed by a family visitation from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Interment will be held at a later date. Harry was born Sunday, May 8, 1932, in Hodgeman County, Kansas, the son of Lou and Ada (Hubin) Wasko. He lived in Ottawa since 2003 moving from Pittsburg, Kansas, and had previously lived in Arkansas City, Kansas for 34 years. He graduated from Jetmore High School with the class of 1950 and attended Hutchinson Business College. As a very young man he ran his family’s mechanic shop for a year when his father was ill. From that time on, he always enjoyed working on cars and was adept with all things mechanical or electrical and kept many of his family's vehicles alive long after their allotted life span. Harry served in the United States Army, from 1952 to 1954, and was stationed in Germany where he served on a 90-millimeter gun crew. After his discharge from the Army he worked as a microwave technician for AT&T for 34 years, retiring in 1990. He then became the maintenance technician for Metro Plains Management of St. Paul, Minnesota, from 1991 to 2008, in the eastern Kansas division with his wife Ruthanne. Harry celebrated 50 years of a wonderful marriage with Ruthanne Stegman. They were married June 12, 1964, in Jetmore, Kansas. She survives of their home. Other survivors include his five children, Andrew Cole and wife Janet Lewis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, John Tovar of Arkansas City, Kansas, Joseph Tovar and wife Samantha of Winfield, Kansas, Matthew Wasko and wife Beth of Overland Park, Kansas, and Luke Ahn and wife Angela of Richardson, Texas; five brothers, Clark Wasko of Jetmore, Kansas, Richard Wasko and wife Sonja of Hanston, Kansas, Ivan Wasko of Hays, Kansas, Howard Wasko of Wichita, Kansas, and Burt Wasko and wife Betty of Ness City, Kansas; thirteen grandchildren; and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his daughter, Katie Wasko. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus Council No. 3018, Ottawa; American Legion Warren Black Post #60, Ottawa; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Arkansas City Post; and was a Scout Master of Troop 327 and counselor to the Explorer Troop, Arkansas City. Harry will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He loved, supported and cared for his family and always looked forward to the times they spent together. Harry was open, respectful, and compassionate to all he met and had many good friends of all ages. His ready laugh and sense of humor made Harry an easy and engaging companion. The family suggests any contributions in his memory be made to Sacred Heart School c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to leave their condolences and memories on Mr. Wasko’s Celebration Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com.