Ivan Dee Wasko, 85, Hays, died Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at HaysMed.
He was born April 3, 1939 in Hodgeman County, the son of L.F. and Ada (Hubin) Wasko. Ivan graduated from Jetmore High School in 1957 and attended Fort Hays State University. On April 23, 1960 he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Bieker in Hays, and they celebrated 51 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on July 24, 2011. For over 30 years, Ivan was a machinist at Cross Manufacturing. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Ivan was an expert woodworker who made bird houses, toy boxes, and bookcases, an avid Royals and Chiefs fan, a collector of over 1,000 frisbees, and liked working on Sudoku puzzles.
Survivors include his three sons, Myron Wasko and wife Stephanie of Rose Hill, Myrle Wasko and wife Dawn of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Myrlin Wasko and wife Renee of Lee’s Summit, MO, three brothers, Clark Wasko of Jetmore, Howard Wasko of Wichita, and Bert Wasko and wife Betty of Ness City, a sister-in-law, Sonja Wasko of Spearville, seven grandchildren, Jason Wasko, Jessica Walton and husband Steven, Kirk Lawrence, and Logan, Solomon, Brooke, and Grant Wasko, two great grandchildren, Addy Wasko and Hayes Walton, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Ann, his daughter Myrna Lawrence, two brothers, Harry and Richard Wasko, three sisters-in-law, Ruth Ann, Shirley, and Marsha Wasko, and a grandson, Jeremy Wasko.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Inurnment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time, and a rosary will be prayed at 9:30, all on Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to HaysMed Hospice. Services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and condolences and memories of Ivan may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com.