Louis Feldman

LOUIS HOWARD FELDMAN Louis Howard Feldman, age 91, died February 15, 2016 at Louisburg Care Center, Louisburg, Kansas. Louis was born April 11, 1924, the son of August and Nellie May Bible Feldman on their Osage Township farm, south of Fontana, Kansas in Miami County. He attended several one-room country schools, and graduated from La Cygne High School in 1942. Louis spent his early years farming with his father, working at the Whiteford Ranch (where he learned to drive) and helped with the operation of Murray"s Lake (now known as Miami County State Lake). Louis served his country in World War II as a Combat Engineer, seeing action in the European Theater. Attached to the 1266th Combat Engineer Battalion, he was both a Heavy Truck Driver and Rifle Marksman. During the waning months of the war, Louis supported General Patton"s Third Army in their advance across France into Germany as his battalion was one of the first engineer units to build a bridge across the Rhine River. One of Louis"s final military acts was to help construct prisoner-of-war stockades to hold captured Nazi soldiers. Corporal Feldman was decorated with the Good Conduct medal, American Campaign medal, European-African-Middle East medal, World War II Victory medal, and Honorable Discharge pin. Louis was a member of the American Legion and remained a dedicated patriot the remainder of his life. He expressed special empathy for our Vietnam Veterans. Louis married Betty Lynette Hurd of Muskogee, Oklahoma, on June 15, 1947. Louis and Betty were the parents of five daughters. They established a farming and cattle operation in the New Lancaster, Kansas community in 1959. They farmed together for over 50 years. They were members of the Fontana Church of Christ for many years. No couple expressed more love for and devotion to one another than Louis and Betty. Their unconditional love for their large family was evident throughout their lives. They were the proud grandparents of 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren with 3 more great grandchildren due this year. Louis enjoyed teaching his grandchildren about farming, learning to drive tractors and farm trucks, telling Hiawatha stories, camping together on vacations, and stressing the importance of a good education. Louis was preceded in death by his wife Betty of 62 years; his parents; 2 brothers, Charles and Franklin; and 3 sisters, Marie, Dorothy, and Hattie. He is survived by one sister, Hazel Lowe of Bonner Springs, Kansas and one brother-in-law, William Herbert Hurd, Jr. of Claremore, Oklahoma. Louis will also be greatly missed by his 5 daughters: Carolyn, and husband Larry Harding of Louisburg, Kansas; Nancy, and husband John Heidrick of La Cygne, Kansas; Doris, and husband Henry Williamson of Meadville, Missouri; Patty, and husband Michael Yocam of Paola, Kansas; and Debra Smotherman of Overland Park, Kansas and their families. The family suggests memorial contributions to New Lancaster Methodist Church, Fontana Church of Christ, La Cygne Historical Society, and Crossroads Hospice of Lenexa, KS. To share your memories of Louis or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the "Share Memories" button above. New Lancaster United Methodist Church, 36665 New Lancaster Rd., Paola, KS Service: Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11:00 AM Visitation: Friday, February 19, 2016 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM