Grant H. Vonderschmidt

Grant H. Vonderschmidt, 89, Ozawkie, passed away Monday, February 3rd, 2014. Grant was born February 29, 1924 in Reserve, Kansas, the son of Henry and Lydia Vonderschmidt.

He graduated from Reserve High School in 1942 and entered the U.S. Army in 1944. Grant served with Company B, 376th Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division in Europe during WWII.

Grant graduated from the University of Kansas with the class of 1950 and within months was called back to the Army. He served in Korea as a platoon leader with "B" Battery, 82nd Automatic Weapons Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart for wounds received in Korea, the Bronze Star for Infantry Service in WWII, Korean Service Medal, and European Service Medal.

In 1952 Grant married Elnora Lou Wycoff. They had 2 sons, Lynn of Carbondale & Alan of Topeka. Grant and Elnora were divorced. Grant and Geneva Cowan were married in 1964. She passed away in 1987.

Grant was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters: Evelyn, Lucille, and Vesta; and 5 brothers: Otis, Philip, Henry, Melvin and Vernal. He is survived by his sons, Lynn and Alan, and granddaughters Casey Vonderschmidt and Teri Zaiss (Chad).

Grant worked at Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Topeka for over thirty years and retired in 1984. Grant loved the outdoors and spent many enjoyable days on the golf course with friends, in the Colorado high country hunting elk with his sons, quail hunting, and crappie fishing.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Mount Hope Chapel. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday at Mount Hope Chapel from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 225, PO Box 41, Ozawkie, KS 66070 or the American Cancer Society, 1315 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604.

Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is assisting with arrangements.