Wendell L. Felsburg age 78, was born on October 2, 1941, to Walter and
Norma (Franklin) Felsburg of Gaylord, KS. He grew up the oldest of four
children on the family farm just south of town. He passed away on July
18, 2020 at Parkview Care Center in Osborne, KS.
At the age of 18, he joined the US Navy where he served four years,
during peace time, as a Radioman on an aircraft carrier. He returned
home and started driving a milk truck around his hometown area. He then
worked for Conrad Irrigation for several years followed by CE Johnson
Trucking owned by Thomas Johnson, both of Gaylord, KS.
He began driving commercially for Curtis Trucking out of Denver, CO,
where he earned his first 1 Million Miles in truck driving from NY to
LA. After that he drove for Ligon Trucking out of Paducah, KY. He drove
for Graves Truck Line’s Jayhawk Division for over 10 years. He also
drove for Bruenger Trucking out of Wichita, KS for many years. Then in
1996, he moved from commercial to private trucking and hauled grain for
local farmers and corn seed for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. out
of Doniphan, Nebraska.
Late in his career, he and his brother, David, paved the way in
revolutionizing how Pioneer unloaded their corn seed from the trailers
by bringing Wilkens Walking Floor Trailers to corn harvest in 1997. By
doing this, they were able to haul twice as many loads as the other
drivers with normal trailers. Within 2 years, Pioneer made it a
requirement for all drivers that hauled for them to have the walking
floor trailers during corn harvest due to Wendell and David’s foresight.
This was a highlight of his 50+ years as a semi-truck driver, retiring
in 2019 with over 3 Million miles to his credit.
He and his wife of 53 years, Ann Jean (Runnion) of Norton, KS, were
married on February 13, 1967. They raised three daughters in the town of
Gaylord, KS. They also helped to raise a granddaughter and a grandson
that they grew to consider as their own children. He enjoyed watching
stockcar racing, time with family, and hitting golf balls with friends
at the driving range. He also served for many years on the Gaylord City
Counsel.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Felsburg of Gaylord; his sister
Martha (Bill) Watkins of Cummings, GA; his brother Keith (Esmerelda)
Felsburg of Lake Elsinore, CA; daughters, NormaJean Felsburg of Norton,
KS; Loretta (Danny) Standley of Wichita, KS; and Wendy (Shawn) Luman of
Hutchinson, KS; his grandchildren, SkyeAnne (Tyson) Kline, William
(Jessica) Felsburg, Cassandra Standley, Jared Standley, Jonah Standley,
Micah Standley, Nathaniel Standley, and Ryan Luman; and four
great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, and his youngest brother, David Felsburg.