Theodore Matzkanin

Theodore Matzkanin, age 92, of Louisburg, KS, died Tuesday, December 8, 2009. Visitation will be 10:00 " 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, with funeral services following at 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church of Louisburg. Burial will be in the Louisburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church. Theodore was born on February 28, 1917, to Demeter Matzkanin and Anna Gaydos in New Lisbon, WI. He attended General Motors Institute and then served in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII as an aircraft mechanic and pilot of multi-engine bombers. While stationed in San Antonio, Theodore met and married Jane Smith in 1946. After military service, he attended Kansas State University, where he received a mechanical engineering degree. He worked as a mechanical engineer for Bendix Corporation, J.B. Ersham Company, and Black and Veatch. Theodore was a member of both the Shriners and the Masons, president of the K.C. chapter of the Wally Byam Airstream Travel Trailer Club, packmaster for the Cub Scouts, and assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts. He built or renovated all of the family homes, and rebuilt cars and Airstream travel trailers. He was an accomplished craftsman and enjoyed cabinetry, stained glass, and model building. Theodore designed and supervised the addition of the basement to the First Christian Church of Louisburg. Theodore was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Jane, of the home; daughter, Carol Keffer of Louisburg; son, Gary Matzkanin of Grand Junction, CO; son, Randy Matzkanin and wife, Marsha, of Arlington, TX; brother, Ed Matzkanin of Yuma, AZ; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Louisburg First Christian Church 602 N. First Street Louisburg, KS 66053 Service: Saturday, December 12, 2009 11:00 AM Visitation: Saturday, December 12, 2009 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM