John R. Schlender

John Ralph Schlender age 98, passed away on 29 May 2025 at Manhattan, KS. The fourth of eight children of Edna Mae (Nanninga) and Milton C. Schlender, he grew up on the Schlender family farm south of Moundridge, KS. John met the love of his life and future wife, Patricia (Pat) Bartlett at Kansas State. They were united in marriage June 29, 1952. This union was blessed with seven children. Their offspring, spouses and grand and great-grandchildren have grown to 108 with 5 more great-grandchildren on the way. John and Pat also generously hosted and shared their love with six foreign exchange students. All seven Schlender children and six exchange students graduated from Manhattan High School.
John attended a one room, one teacher grade school near the family farm and graduated from Moundridge High School in 1945.
Vocal music became John's passion and his love for music continued throughout life. He sang in high school mixed chorus and boys glee club; church choirs for 70 years; Little Apple Barbershop Chorus for thirty years, and he and Pat were charter members of the Flint Hills Master Works Chorale. Singing the Doxology before family holiday meals was John's prayer of choice.
A faithful and authentic Christian, John taught Sunday School classes, served on and chaired church committees including a term as Chair of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee at First United Methodist Church in Manhattan. His Manhattan community activities included the Solar Kiwanis Club, serving as their president in 2003-2004. In high school, John was a two-year letterman in football and track and his love of competitive sports continued throughout life. He coached his sons' ball teams. He picked up competitive running in the 1970's and won many 5K and 10K competitions for "masters". He was a loyal K-State, KC Royals and Chiefs fan; recalling and sharing detailed player trades and statistics with ease was one of his superpowers.
John followed his three older brothers into military service. He was drafted in 1945 and served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947. World War II ended while he was in basic training at Camp Roberts California, sparing him from being part of the Allies' Japan invasion force. He served as a Corporal in the Occupational U.S. Army's Military Police Force in Germany. In 2022, John was honored by the Wamego Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
The GI Bill enabled John to attend Kansas State College and earn a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Husbandry in 1951. John's dedication earned him membership in Phi Kappa Phi, a Danforth Fellowship, and American Youth Foundation Camp. He developed judgment, reason and public speaking skills as a member of the Livestock and Wool Judging Teams. He was proud of his success as a member of K-State Livestock and Wool Judging Teams, especially the team's first-place finish at the 1950 Chicago International Livestock Exposition - Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest. In 1950 he served as president of the Block and Bridle Club. John was a member of FarmHouse Fraternity, serving as chapter vice-president and business manager and later as president of the alumni association.
John's 40-year career with K-State Research and Extension included County Agricultural Agent in Cheyenne and Saline Counties, Southwest Kansas Extension Agricultural Economist in Garden City, KS and beginning in 1969 as a faculty member in the Agricultural Economics Department at Kansas State. He authored and co-authored many publications and received the Quill and Pen award for excellence. He coordinated the Kansas Tax Institute for income tax preparers for 20 years and taught extension short courses over the state and on campus in livestock marketing, farm accounting, financial management and income tax management. John was also secretary-treasurer for the Kansas Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers for 30-years, a role he continued long into retirement managing land sale data capture and reporting.
John was a life-long learner, adding to his B.S. in Animal Husbandry with an MS in Animal Nutrition from Oregon State in 1960. While there, he also coached the livestock judging team that competed in the Collegiate Livestock Judging contest at the Pacific International Livestock Show in Portland, Oregon. In 1966-69 a sabbatical leave took the family to Purdue where he earned a PhD in Agricultural Economics.
John never left his farm roots and was an avid gardener and daylily propagator, planting his last potatoes and tomatoes just a few weeks ago. His children enjoy having daylilies in their yards that came from John.
John was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Patricia, brothers Fred and Harold and sisters Lois Propp and Catherine Becker.
He is survived by: brothers Melvin of Wichita and Keith of Holland, OH and sister Bethe Cowan of Topeka and Catherine's husband Levi Becker of Newton. Seven children: Pamela Jack, Manhattan; Douglas (Sandy) Glen MT; Kevin (Teresa) Bozeman, MT; Suzanne Hoeppner (Tony) Kimberling City, MO; Lisa Rock (Dave) Olathe; Scott, and partner (Tom Fish) Manhattan; and Kristen Anderson (Kurt) Crestwood, KY; and 75 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Six exchange students: Takayuki Enomoto-Japan, Jacobo Espi-Spain, Fernando Benitez-Spain, Maria Teresa Alvarez-Paraguay, Juan Pablo Biagioni-Argentina, Pedro Legarreta-Chile.
Funeral services will be at First United Methodist Church in Manhattan, Friday June 13th. Visitation will be at 2 p.m., funeral service at 3 p.m. and time for additional visitation with family immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the John and Pat Schlender Agricultural Scholarship at the Kansas State University Foundation or First United Methodist Church of Manhattan Music Fund. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of John, please visit our Tree Store.