John T. Mannen

MESQUITE, Nev. - John Thomas Mannen, 74, formerly of Brady and Conrad, died of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) Saturday, April 9, at his home in Mesquite, Nev.

His memorial service is 11 a.m. Friday at Conrad Mission Church. Cremation took place under the direction of La Paloma Funeral Service of Las Vegas.

John passed away peacefully at 4:25 p.m. when the Lord came and ushered John into heaven to be forever with Him. John fought the good fight of Lou Gehrig's disease and finished the race as a good soldier of the KING!

John was born Oct. 28, 1936, in Burlington, Wash., to Paul V. "Tuffy" Mannen and Jessie Kell Mannen. He lived on the Brady, Mont., family farm from the age of 2 weeks until he retired in 2004. He graduated from Conrad High School in 1954. During his high school years, John was a challenge for his teachers to get him to stay on task. For example, he loved to assist the girls' PE class in volleyball during his regular English class period. After graduation, besides working on the farm with his dad, John picked up an extra job working with the area phone company. As a bachelor, he traveled and ex-perienced many adventures, going from state to state, visiting family and touring the country.

In 1980, his bachelor days ended when his eyes fell upon Lorene Robertson of Mount Vernon, Wash. Within 10 months, John and Lorene said "I do," and John became a husband/father overnight. At 43 years old, John married the love of his life and brought Lorene to Montana with her two children (14-year-old Tim and 5-year-old Cyndi), where they began their family life together.

John was devoted to his family and church. For most of his life, he attended and was very active in Conrad Mission Church. He was always at the front entrance, ready to shake people's hands and welcome them in. His smile and warm handshake gave everyone a sense of peace and acceptance. Not only was he a greeter, but he led small men's groups and Bible studies. He was a quiet leader to all who were around him, and he impacted many hearts. He loved spending time with his family, camping, catching the best sports games on TV and visiting with his friends. Through his words and actions, he challenged others to become more like Christ, a special quality John consistently expressed until the day God came for him.

John and his brother Paul farmed together until their retirement in 2004. After retire-ment, John and Lorene moved to Mesquite, Nev., to be close to their daughter and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of more then 30 years, Lorene; son Tim Robertson of Tenino, Wash.; daughter Cyndi Frieling of Mesquite; grandsons Eliah Mannen, Isaiah Frieling and Zach Robertson; granddaughter Courtney Poige; two sisters, Martha Ann Trask of Missoula, Mont., and LaVada Mannen of Seattle, Wash.; brothers Paul K. Mannen of Blythe, Calif., Pat Mannen and wife Dolores of Kent, Wash., and Chuck Mannen of Lake Stevens, Wash.; nephews Don and Dean Mannen of Wash-ington, Loren Mannen of Oregon, and Matt Trask of California; nieces Kathleen Johnson of Montana, Pat Larson of Missouri, and Robin Stubbs of Montana; many cousins and a host of friends.

Memorials are suggested to the ALS of Nevada, 888 West Bonneville Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106 or online at www.alsofnevada.org/clinic.

Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.