Emery LaVerne Hart

Emery LaVerne Hart, 77, of Grinnell, died Friday, March 19, 2021, at Hays Medical Center. He was born October 21, 1943, in Solomon, KS, to Solomon and Minnie (Seward) Hart. Emery graduated from Hoxie High School in 1962 and attended Fort Hays State University, where he lettered in football and wrestling, graduating in 1967. On August 8, 1965, Emery married Judy Blank and to this union 2 sons were born.

Emery spent his life as an educator and coach. He taught first, at Webster School, then at Stockton Grade School for 5 years. There he coached junior high football and wrestling and was the Stockton High School wrestling coach. The family then moved to Grinnell, where he worked at the Angelus Grade School for a year. He transitioned in to Grinnell High School, where he served 2 years as principal and he completed his Master's Degree in School Administration from Fort Hays State in 1974. The next move was to Ellis, KS, where he was the grade school and middle school principal and also worked on completing his degree to become a superintendent. Once he received his degree, they moved back to Grinnell, where he was the superintendent and principal until 1990. Emery was principal at Oakley High School for 3 years and then spent the remainder of his career as principal and Superintendent of Schools of Natoma, Morland, Utica, and Jennings. He came out of retirement to serve as interim administrator at Brewster for one semester.

Emery was a member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church and the Cow Paddy Golf Course. He served on the Gove County Hospital Board, the Grinnell School Board, and Grinnell Township Board. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and mowing. He was a avid supporter of any sport his children and grandchildren participated in, always the old coach. He was a huge fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals, and Nebraska Husker Football teams.

Emery was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Joan (J. Harold) Sonntag and infant Elsie Mae Hart, and in-laws, Gail and Jeanne Blank.

He’s survived by his wife Judy, of Grinnell; children, Ted (Amanda) Hart, of Grinnell and Doyle Hart of Lawrence; grandchildren, Austin Hart, of Grinnell, Zach Hart, of Victoria, Kylah Smith, of Grinnell and Devynn (Jessica) Hageman, of Broomfield, CO; great granddaughter, Iva Hageman; sister Flossie (Ed) Herman, of Russell; sisters-in-law, Monna Blank, of Austin, TX and Eva Cecil, of New Cumberland, WV; nieces and nephews, Cindy (Kenney) Ramsey, Hoisington, KS, Doug (Marval) Blank, Valley Center, KS, Aaron (Janelle) Blank, Austin, TX, Caleb (Lisa) Blank, Mansfield, TX., Russell Blank of Kentucky, and Robert Blank of North Carolina.

A Memorial Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 27, 2021, at the Grinnell Middle School Gym, with inurnment in the Grinnell Township Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Grinnell Angelus Area Heritage Center and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com